Senior Ketki Ketkar and freshman Trisha Nath have kept their summers busy this year — representing Cornell on the national stage at the 2025 USA Fencing Summer Nationals held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
“Competing at the national level was really fun,” Ketkar said. “This was my first national level tournament in a while so I was just trying to figure out where my level of competition was at.”
Ketkar explained she had “some issues” with her right hip and lower back that kept her from competing at the national level this past year.
“I did a lot of p[hysical] t[herapy] in order to get back into shape and compete at summer nationals so being there was a rewarding process for me,” Ketkar said.
The two-time All-American competed in the Division I Women's Épée event where she earned a bronze medal for her performance. The last time Ketkar competed in the Summer Nationals’ Division I Women's Épée event, she placed 18th out of 139 other fencers.
“I hope to carry this momentum forward into next season while not focusing too much on the results of the match,” Ketkar said. “I am focusing right now on working on my technique, footwork and conditioning.”
Ketkar also explained that she enjoyed facing off against other competitive fencers from teams that the Red may not typically compete against in the Ivy League. She also explained that during the season, there is more of a “team aspect” of fencing to consider whereas at Summer Nationals, she felt like she was competing individually while representing Cornell.
And while Ketkar didn’t have her entire team with her, she did meet one of the latest additions to the team — Trisha Nath.
“To see her perform that well was amazing and I am super excited to have her on the team,” Ketkar said, referencing Nath. “She is a great fencer.”
Nath said she’s been fencing for about six years. She said she decided to commit to Cornell due to the connection she made with the team.
“My decision to commit to Cornell was due to a number of factors,” Nath explained. “I loved the campus, the team, the coach and everything else about Cornell. There are so many perks to being here.”
Nath explained that she wanted to “make a good impression” at this tournament given it was her last one before the debut of her college career. It was also a “full circle moment” for her since her first ever North American Cup took place in Wisconsin.
“I felt really comfortable in my fencing abilities and I was really energetic the entire tournament,” Nath said. “I really wanted to contribute something to the Cornell team and this competition has really made me excited for the next four years.”
Nath earned a bronze medal in the Junior Women's Sabre. She also competed in the Division I Women's Sabre, placing seventh.
“Being a part of the medal ceremony and sitting around other college athletes I remember thinking ‘I am ready to enter the collegiate level’ and compete against these people again,” Nath said.
Nath said she is excited to “experience things” at Cornell and hopes to compete in the NCAA championship.
“Each match and each practice I just want to fence better and improve,” Nath said. “I look forward to taking every opportunity and having a lot of fun.”
Zeinab Faraj is a member of the class of 2028 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is the features editor on the 143rd Editorial Board and was the assistant sports editor of the 143rd Editorial Board. You can reach her at zfaraj@cornellsun.com.
