Notre Dame had 18 current or former team members in action over the weekend at the North American Cup in Portland, Oregon. In all, the Irish tallied two wins and three other top-10 finishes.
Friday, Irish alum Mariel Zagunis won the Division 1 women’s saber competition, while freshman Francesca Russo finished tied for third. That same day, three Irish freshman competed in Division 1 men’s saber. Ian Jones, Jonathan Fitzgerald and Jonah Shainberg finished 19th, 20th and 22nd, respectively.
On the second day of the event, the Irish had current or former team members competing in Division 1 women’s epee, Division 1 men’s foil and Division 2 women’s foil. Notre Dame alums, Kelley Hurley and Courtney Hurley finished in the top ten in Division 1 Women’s Epee. Kelley took second, while Courtney finished seventh. Meanwhile, senior Ashley Severson finished eighth and senior Nicole Ameli placed 23rd.
In the men’s foil, sophomore Hazem Khazbak came in 28th place, while fellow sophomore John Crumpler came in just behind at 32nd. Notre Dame’s lone competitor in Division 2 women’s foil was freshman Erin Dietsche, who took seventh place.
Sunday saw four Irish women in action in Division 1 women’s foil. Senior Madison Zeiss won the division’s bracket, while junior Nicole McKee finished 25th and freshmen Zoe Loh and Dietsche took 49th and 72nd, respectively.
Overall, several Irish team members had the opportunity to compete prior to a season that will feature individual competitions through November and December, along with exhibitions against Northwestern and Ohio State.
In the weekend ahead, a few members of the Irish will compete in the Men’s Foil Senior World Cup in San Francisco and the Women’s Foil Senior World Cup in Cancun, Mexico. Khazbak will be one of the Notre Dame men participating, while the Irish will have Zeiss, McKee and junior Lee Keifer on the women’s side.
Both competitions will get underway Friday and conclude on Saturday.
