Turn Back the Clock: Feb. 22, 1999

Feb. 22, 1999

Thirteen years ago today, the Penn men's fencing team entered its match against Columbia with an opportunity to win the Ivy League championship for the first time since 1983.

Entering the matchup with the Lions, the Quakers had waited 16 years since their last Ivy League title. Facing off in Ithaca, N.Y., Penn had already secured a share of the conference championship but needed to a victory over Columbia in order to clinch the title outright.

The Red and Blue fell behind early, and trailed 5-2 midway through the match. Nevertheless, the Quakers were fully aware of the opportunity in front of them, and they eventually shook out of their funk.

"We had to get everybody to wake up," senior captain John Wright said after the match.

It didn't take long for the Quakers to rebound. After falling behind by three, Penn responded quickly, and leveled the match at six at the end of the sabre.

Eventually, the Red and Blue were able to pull ahead. Leading 13-12 with two bouts remaining, the Quakers needed to secure one final point in order to capture the match and the Ancient Eight title.

Sophomore Yoran Roth supplied the 14th point, clinching the match and the championship with a 5-4 victory over Columbia's William Dupree.

The Penn men's fencing team won eight consecutive outright Ivy League titles between 1976 and 1983. Until 1999, however, the Quakers experienced a 16-year drought.

That drought finally came to an end against Columbia. The Quakers culminated their Ivy League season with a 14-13 victory over the Lions, and finished the conference season with an undefeated record.

The 1999 Penn squad finished with three NCAA All-Americans and two first team All-Ivy League selections, as well as a 10-6 overall record.