(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 19)—The McKendree University fencing team competed in the Bourbon Open, a two-day event that was held Nov. 7-8 in Louisville, Ky.
 
A total of six McKendree fencers took part in the tournament. The Bearcats were represented in all three disciplines, with three team members securing top-10 finishes in their respective events.
 
McKendree had two individuals perform well in the foil, where two of the three top efforts were posted. Senior Alex Smith (Granite City, IL/Granite City) grabbed ninth place in the event, while freshman Brian Aronica (Glendale, WI/Nicolet) was right behind in 10^th place for the weekend.
 
Freshman Mathew Anderson (Roswell, GA/Roswell) had the highest individual finish for any McKendree fencer on the weekend. Anderson notched sixth place while competing in the epee. There were 31 individuals who competed in the epee discipline at the Bourbon Open.
 
Also competing for the Bearcats in the two-day tournament were sophomore Andrew Tolbert (Dolton, IL/Marian Catholic), freshman Caleb Hamilton (Sherwood, AR) and sophomore Mary Hardig (Schererville, IN/Marian Catholic). Tolbert and Hamilton were both entered in the epee discipline, with Tolbert taking 12^th place and Hamilton posting a 22^nd-place finish. Hardig was 12^th overall in the saber.
 
The Bearcats will be in St. Louis for a pair of events for its next competitions. McKendree will take part in The Fencer's Academy Foil Tournament on Nov. 21 before participating in the Chuck Willis Memorial Epee Tournament on Nov. 22.