Catantan can still fence for Penn State until 2025

PENN State University (PSU) has accepted the application of top Filipino fencer Samantha Catantan to enter its Master of Accounting program in 2024, allowing her to continue fencing for the school in her final year of eligibility as a student-athlete in 2025.

Catantan, gold medalist in the 2021 Vietnam Southeast Asian Games, disclosed this development after she got the response letter from PSU’s Smeal College of Business.

Samantha Catantan CONTRIBUTED PHOTO 

She shared a photo of the letter to The Manila Times, which she later posted on her social media accounts.

“It is my pleasure to offer you admission to the Master of Accounting program,” said part of the letter.

“You have demonstrated outstanding scholastic ability and exceptional professional promise, and we believe you will be an excellent addition to the Smeal community,” it added.

Another year at PSU for her one-year masters program means she can still play for PSU in the 2025 US NCAA Fencing Championship. She still has one year of eligibility under the US NCAA rules.

While the 21-year-old Catantan played during her rookie season in 2020, the US NCAA — in a previous decision — doesn’t count it as first year of eligibility due to the global health issue and classifies it the pandemic year. Her first year of eligibility started in 2021 when she was a sophomore at PSU.

Catantan’s rookie campaign ended with her winning the bronze and a spot at the All-America Team.

Currently a fourth year accounting student, Catantan is recuperating from an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear she suffered during the SEA Games last May in Cambodia.

She will likely miss the 2024 fencing competition of the US NCAA since she has missed and will continue to miss meets that serve as qualifiers.

“This year I’m not sure if I’ll qualify. I’ve missed and will miss several events,” Catantan said. “The problem for me is the regionals, because in the regionals alone, I need 21 bouts to qualify in the region.”

Since her left knee surgery under Filipino sports physician Dr. Raul Canlas, Catantan has progressed and is on track with her recovery.

She is now allowed by both the PSU and local physical therapists to move forward and backward during one-on-one lessons with a fencing coach.

Next month, she will start pre-fencing drills to prepare her for the February meet.

With the things she went through, particularly the injury that denied her an opportunity to win back-to-back gold medals in the SEA Games, Catantan said she is still grateful.

“I was emotional (when I received the good news from PSU). This year was tough for me. … I silently struggled with mental breakdowns because of my injury. But for me, trusting His purpose and believing that everything happens for a reason got me through,” said the former University of the East Red Warrior.

“It’s been hard, but at the end of the day, His blessings never stop coming and I am very thankful,” Catantan added.

Philippine Fencing Association (PFA) president Rene Gacuma commended what Catantan has achieved.

“It’s very worthy and positive for a Filipino fencer to receive that approval,” said Gacuma. “We look forward to her being up and ready for the 2025 SEA Games, and we hope she stays healthy and fit.”

Aside from playing for the PSU Nittany Lion, Catantan said that she is equally excited in her return on the piste as a member of the Philippine fencing team.