Botello Selected USFCA Sabre Newcomer of the Year

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Natalia Botello of the Ohio State fencing team has been selected the USFCA Women’s Sabre Newcomer of the Year, the United States Fencing Coaches Association announced. In her first year competing for the Buckeyes, she earned All-America, all-region and all-conference accolades.

At the CCFC Championships, Botello captured the women’s sabre title and she and the Buckeyes claimed the women’s team crown. She was the silver medalist at the NCAA Midwest Regionals and earned First Team All-CCFC and First Team All-Midwest Region honors.

In her first trip to the NCAA Championships, Botello was the No. 2 seed after pools to reach the semifinals. She earned First Team All-America accolades after finishing tied for third. Ohio State was sixth as a team in the final standings. 

Last year, Luca Fioretto earned the USFCA Men’s Sabre Newcomer of the Year award.