Temple Fencers Shine at Coach Nikki Franke Classic
The Owls secured 10 top 20 finishes during the 46th annual fencing tournament held at the Liacouras Center.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Wrestling
Temple University hosted the 46th annual Coach Nikki Franke Classic at the Liacouras Center, where local athletes competed in foil, epee, and sabre disciplines. The Temple fencing team successfully earned 10 top 20 finishes throughout the competition.
Why it matters
The tournament serves as a key showcase for collegiate fencing talent in Philadelphia, providing athletes with crucial experience against competitive fields. Success at this event helps build momentum for Temple as the team progresses through its seasonal schedule.
Temple athletes achieved 10 finishes within the top 20, including a 3rd place tie for Auprell Edwards in epee, 5th for Keely Carter in sabre, and 8th for Anais Wandji in foil. The event outcomes were determined by fencers advancing through pool play to reach direct elimination brackets.
The players
Temple University
This Philadelphia-based public research university sponsors a competitive fencing program that frequently hosts major collegiate tournaments.
Auprell Edwards
She is a Temple fencer who achieved a tie for 3rd place in the epee discipline at this tournament.
Keely Carter
She is a Temple athlete who secured a 5th place finish in the sabre discipline.
Anais Wandji
She is a Temple competitor who earned an 8th place result in foil.
The details
Temple fencers competed across all three disciplines, with multiple athletes securing top finishes to highlight the team's performance. The tournament required fencers to navigate through preliminary pool rounds to qualify for the direct elimination brackets where final placements were decided.
Timeline
The 46th Coach Nikki Franke Classic took place on October 24, 2026.
Temple will compete at the Penn Elite Invite on November 14, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The tournament results serve as a benchmark for the Owls as they test their depth across foil, epee, and sabre lineups early in the collegiate season. Strong individual performances here provide the coaching staff with vital data to refine rosters ahead of the upcoming Penn Elite Invite.
The top 20 finishes provide significant momentum for Temple's roster as they look toward the Penn Elite Invite. The event highlights which athletes are currently trending upward in their specific disciplines based on their recent elimination bracket successes.
The takeaway
Consistent performance in early-season tournaments like this one allows collegiate fencing programs to evaluate athlete development before major national invites. Fans and followers can track these results as indicators of which fencers will occupy key spots in the upcoming schedule.
What happens next
The Temple fencing team is scheduled to compete next at the Penn Elite Invite on November 14, 2026.
Further reading
For more on local competitive sports, visit the Wrestling page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Temple.
