Blink and you’ll miss it.
That’s the nature of a Notre Dame fencing season. After a few meets in the fall, the Irish revved things up in late January. Slightly over a month later, they’re already in postseason play as the ACC Championships have rolled around.
This year’s Irish team has hit the crucial point in the season where every match determines if they will repeat their championship success from last season. After producing one of the most dominant displays in conference history last year, winning five of six individual titles, this season’s Irish team travels to Durham, North Carolina, this weekend with a new goal: perfection.
If all goes to plan, there is no reason why Notre Dame shouldn’t be able to achieve just that. Spearheaded by senior and 2024 Olympic bronze medalist Eszter Muhari, the women’s team has been on a tear this season. The men’s side, backed by a few veteran superstars, has been equally dominant.
Last year, junior sabre specialist Radu Nitu claimed gold at the ACC Championship through sheer resilience. Nitu beat teammate Grant Dodrill in the semifinal before fending off sophomore Ahmed Hesham in the final with a narrow victory of 15-13. With all three men returning to centerstage, it’s hard to imagine a world where Notre Dame doesn’t bring home gold once again.
In foil, sophomore Liam Bas returns as the defending champion. The wonderkid from Fair Lawn, New Jersey, has experience with the U.S. Junior World team and comes into the competition on the heels of a terrific season. Bas is joined by junior Dominic Joseph as a frontrunner heading into the weekend. Joseph placed second to Bas at the ACC competition a season ago. Despite the chemistry between the dynamic duo, UNC Senior Nick Baumstein will pose the biggest challenge to both men. A battle-tested veteran, Baumstein has earned wins over the likes of No. 5 Ohio State and No. 7 Penn this season.
In epee, senior Jonathan Hamilton-Meikle will lead the charge for the Irish. As a two-time All American, Hamilton-Meikle brings a vast array of experiences with him into the postseason. Early in the month, he was named the ACC’s Fencer of the Week, and will surely impress in championship play.
On the women’s side, the tournament provides Muhari another chance to show that she is undoubtedly the best fencer in the country, if she hasn’t done so already. Following one of the greatest individual seasons of all-time last season in epee, Muhari has continued to be an immovable force throughout the season.
In sabre, sophomores Magda Skarbonkiewicz and Siobhan Sullivan once again emerge as the two names to beat. The teammates and friends finished first and second last season.
Foil will be Notre Dame’s biggest challenge. Stanford junior Arianna Cao won the National Championship last season and was named the ACC women’s foil specialist of the year. Overtaking Cao will require flawless execution. And after a great showing at the Beguinet Classic earlier in the month, sophomore Victoria Pevzner showed she has the capabilities to produce a day of fencing that could tilt the balance in favor of Notre Dame.
Championship play will take place at the iconic Cameron Indoor Stadium, home to the Duke basketball programs. Competition kicks off at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22 with men’s individual pools. The tournament will be streamed on ESPN+. Following the weekend, the Irish return to action on March 8 for the NCAA Midwest Regional in Cleveland.
