Eastern Wayne Today

The Wayne State University women's fencing team has announced the addition of two incoming freshmen for the 2025-26 season. Head coach Andy Tulleners, now in his third year with the program, confirmed that Shriya Bangalore from Frisco, Texas, and Mikhala Rivers from Maple Grove, Minnesota, will join the squad as sabreists.

"With the addition of Mikhala (Rivers) and Shriya (Bangalore) the women's sabre squad is at full strength. Both ladies are very coachable and are great fits in our current roster and team," said Tulleners.

Shriya Bangalore graduated from Centennial High School in 2025. She served as a team captain during her senior year and competed for the Frisco Fencing Academy. Her recent results include placing fifth at the November 2024 Duel in Dallas Junior Women's Sabre event. She also participated in summer nationals for three consecutive years (2022-24) across Division II and Division III Women's Sabre competitions. Bangalore plans to major in Biochemistry and Chemical Biology at Wayne State.

Mikhala Rivers completed her high school education at DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis. She took first place at TheReal YELFC Winter Showdown in Hopkins, Minnesota, in 2024 and competed at both the 2025 Junior Olympics and Division 1 North American Cup earlier this year. In addition to fencing, Rivers was active in volleyball, basketball, track, and cheerleading—serving as a two-year cheer team captain. She received state-level recognition for her achievements in technology through Minnesota's Aspirations in Computing High School honors in both 2024 and 2025. Rivers intends to study Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Spanish.