Aug. 23, 2011
SHENZHEN, China – Current Notre Dame fencer Courtney Hurley and her sister Kelley Hurley, a former fencer for the Irish, helped the United States women’s epee team capture the silver medal at the World University Games on Sunday. The medal represents the second of the season in international competition for the Hurley’s and the U.S. women’s epee team.
After advancing past Estonia in the quarterfinals, 45-39, the Americans ran into the Ukrainian team in the semifinals. Leading by just one point, 26-25, after Kelley held her opponent Anfisa Pochkalova scoreless in the eighth bout, Courtney, serving as the American anchor, defeated Yana Shemyakina 10-6 in the final bout to secure a hard-fought U.S. victory, 36-31, and a spot in the gold medal match against France. Trailing by just one touch, 36-35, heading into the final bout, Courtney was unable to stop Lauren Rembi as France pulled away for the 45-39 victory.
The Hurley sisters also represented well in the individual epee draw, as each earned a top-16 finish. Entering as the eighth seed to the direct elimination draw, Kelley earned a bye to the round of 32 before defeating Lis Fautsch (Luxembourg), 7-6. In her next bout, she ran into Rembi, dropping a close 15-11 decision to the eventual individual gold medalist. Kelley finished 13th overall in the epee draw.
Courtney entered the draw as the 17th seed after dropping two matches in pool play. After holding off both Jo-Ting Hsu (Taipai) and Angi Xu (China) by identical 15-14 scores, the Irish senior fell to Vlada Vlasova of Russia, 15-8, in the round of 16 to claim 15th place.
Three other Irish fencers also represented the United States at the Games, as Ariel DeSmet competed in men’s foil, Hayley Reese competed in women’s foil and Lian Osier took to the strip in women’s sabre.
DeSmet earned the highest finish of the remaining three, entering the direct elimination draw as the ninth seed before losing a one-touch decision to Daniel Steiner of Hungary to finish 20th overall. Reese concluded competition in 37th, while Osier placed 42nd.
In team competition, DeSmet and the men’s foil team as well as Reese and the women’s foil team concluded in sixth place overall while Osier and the women’s sabre squad finished eighth.
2011 World University Games - Fencing Summary:
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS:Women's Epee:13. Kelley Hurley15. Courtney Hurley
Men's Foil:20. Ariel DeSmet
Women's Foil:37. Hayley Reese
Women's Sabre:42. Lian Osier
TEAM RESULTS:Women's Epee:2. Team USA
Men's Foil:6. Team USA
Women's Foil:6. Team USA
Women's Sabre:8. Team USA
–ND–