VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Cornell senior co-captain Tasha Hall recently competed in the North American Cup (NAC) for Division I Epee, where she placed 13th out of 120 competitors. A tournament for the top rated fencers in North America, fencers compete to earn points to make the National Team.

“It was really amazing to be in the top 16 at this tournament, since almost everyone else in the top 16 either is currently on or has been on a national team,” said Hall. “I was really happy to make national points at this competition, since it qualifies me to fence in the Division I event at Summer Nationals, where only around the top 50 fencers in the US can compete.”

Hall first made it through the initial round, where she fenced six other fencers in five-touch bouts. She finished the round with a record of 4-2, with one of those loses coming by one-point against National Team fencer Lindsay Campbell.

As a result of her strong performance in the initial pool, Hall was placed 36th in the elimination bracket. The elimination bracket involves a 15-touch bout, with the winner advancing. Hall opened the elimination round against Virginia's Kendra Sievers, seeded 29th, and beat the Cavalier, 15-7 to advance into the top 32.

The next bout was against Metro NYC's Isis Washington, who was seeded fourth overall. The bout was extremely close and was tied at 13-13 when time expired. The two fencers then had a one-minute sudden-victory match, with the winner of the one-touch progressing to the top 16. Both fencers spent most of the minute searching for the best moment to score and with approximately 20 seconds remaining, Washington rushed forward to attack, but Hall jumped just out of distance and was able to hit Washington's arm as she approached to take the victory.

In the top 16, Hall faced Princeton's star fencer Suzie Scanlan, who was a member of the 2008 Junior World Champion team and has made three other US National teams. Hall held her own against Scanlan, keeping the score tied, but Scanlan's experience allowed her to pull ahead towards the end to win 15-11. Scanlan went on to receive the bronze medal in the event.

With her strong finish, Hall will go on to participate at the Division I Summer Nationals in early July in Atlanta, Ga.