Upper West Side native and Columbia University student Nicole Ross is representing the United States on the fencing team at the Olympics in London, which start tonight. She’ll be fighting in the women’s foil competitions. Ross, who went to Columbia Prep on 93rd Street, got into fencing after watching the Princess Bride as a kid. See the video below for Ross’ whole story.

Now that you’re totally in love with her, here’s the fencing schedule. You’d better be screaming at the television.

And here’s a story about Ross and 10 other Columbia students and grads who are competing. If you know any other local Olympians, let us know! We’d love to write about them.

More pictures of Ross here.