Stanford's Cinderella Story: Olympian Coach Guides Fencer to NCAA Victory

Stanford Cardinal Makes History: Arianna Cao Wins NCAA Fencing Championship, Coached by Olympian Alexander Massialas Stanford University is celebrating a historic victory in the NCAA Fencing Championships. Arianna Cao, a Stanford sophomore, secured the women's foil title, marking the first time in a decade that a Stanford fencer has achieved this feat. What makes this win even more special is that Cao's coach, four-time Olympian Alexander Massialas, was the last Stanford fencer to win the NCAA championship, back in 2015. "The first person to congratulate her was the last person to win it himself," Massialas said in an interview featured in the NBC Bay Area report. Cao's journey to victory is impressive. Last year, she placed 19th out of 24 competitors. This year, with focused training and the guidance of her coach, she achieved the ultimate success. "My only goal this year was just to be slightly better than 19th," Cao shared with a smile. The video also highlights the unique connection between Cao and Massialas. They previously met at the M Team Fencing Club in San Francisco, founded by Massialas' father, Greg Massialas, a Team USA men's fencing coach. The report showcases the strong Asian American representation in the top eight of the women's foil event, emphasizing the success and growing presence of this community in the sport. Massialas' coaching debut at Stanford has been remarkably successful, and he's already looking ahead to his own Olympic qualification for LA 2028. Cao's victory and Massialas' coaching success underscore the dedication, talent, and supportive environment fostered within the Stanford fencing program.