Botello, Lapkes Honored with USFCA Awards
5/6/2026 10:11:00 AM | Fencing
Botello selected Women's Sabre Athlete of the Year, Lapkes Women's Team Assistant Coach of the Year
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Natalia Botello has been selected the Women's Sabre Collegiate Athlete of the Year and Dmitri Lapkes was named the Women's Team Collegiate Assistant Coach of the Year, the United States Fencing Coaches Association announced.
Botello claimed the NCAA title, the first women's sabre championship in program history, as well as the gold medals at the NCAA Midwest Regional and CCFC Championships. Her NCAA championship was the fourth NCAA women's individual crown for the Buckeyes and the first since Eleanor Harvey claimed the foil title in 2016. She earned First Team All-American, First Team All-Midwest Region and First Team All-CCFC honors. In dual matches, Botello was 69-18, leading all Buckeye women in wins. Last year, Botello earned the USFCA Women's Sabre Newcomer of the Year award.Â
Lapkes, who coaches the Buckeye sabre squads, was instrumental in Botello's outstanding season when she swept the individual titles. Â
Botello claimed the NCAA title, the first women's sabre championship in program history, as well as the gold medals at the NCAA Midwest Regional and CCFC Championships. Her NCAA championship was the fourth NCAA women's individual crown for the Buckeyes and the first since Eleanor Harvey claimed the foil title in 2016. She earned First Team All-American, First Team All-Midwest Region and First Team All-CCFC honors. In dual matches, Botello was 69-18, leading all Buckeye women in wins. Last year, Botello earned the USFCA Women's Sabre Newcomer of the Year award.Â
Lapkes, who coaches the Buckeye sabre squads, was instrumental in Botello's outstanding season when she swept the individual titles. Â
Players Mentioned
Sabre
/ Fencing No videos available.
