Staten Island, NY - Wagner College head fencing coach Fatima Largaespada has announced the addition of two assistant coaches, in Olivia Wynn and Brian Palestis, to the program which competed in its inaugural season in 2016-17. 

Wynn, who also works as an academics and compliance assistant within the Seahawk athletic department, is a 2016 graduate of Temple University, where she was a four-year member of the Owls' Fencing Team and an NCAA Regional Qualifier each year of participation.

On the strip, Wynn was voted the Most Improved Player in 2013 and 2015 was also a member of the Owls' Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Along with working with Wagner's student-athletes, Wynn will be pursuing a Master's degree in Higher Education and Learning Organizations. 

Palestis, who is a professor in the Wagner College Department of Biological Sciences, was a four-year starter and two-time Honorable Mention All-American at Princeton University.

During Palestis' tenure, the Tigers won Ivy League titles in 1994 and 1995, while placing fourth at the 1994 NCAA National Championship meet as a team. Palestis was the sabre squad leader in 1995, earning Academic All-Ivy Team recognition and was also a member of the 1993 Junior National Team while competing in a senior World Cup event.

Following his highly-decorated collegiate athletic career, Palestis served as a sabre coach at the Masters Fencing Academy from 1995–2017. Palestis is also a rated referee and has completed the Team USA SafeSport Training program.

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