Jan. 6, 2010
BUDAPEST, Hungary – Sophomore epeeist Courtney Hurley (San Antonio, Texas) took home the women’s epee gold medal at a Junior World Cup (JWC) event that concluded on January 5, marking her fourth JWC gold medal finish since November 1, 2009.
After pool play, Hurley was seeded 10th overall in the final table of 64. In her first elimination bout, Hurley edged Marta Ferrari of Italy 15-14. Then, in the round of 32, Hurley defeated Marta Vogt of Italy, 15-6. In the third round, Hurley knocked-off Amalia Tataran of Romania by 15-7 margin.
In the quarterfinals, Hurley earned a narrow 15-14 win over third-seeded Dorina Budai of Hungary for a place in the semifinals where she downed Italy’s Brenda Briasco, 15-8. In the championship bout, Hurley won the gold with a 15-10 win over Johanna Bergdahl of Sweden.
Hurley’s gold medal in Hungary builds upon an impressive string of Junior World Cup finishes. She recently took home Junior World Cup gold medals on Nov. 1 in Montreal, Canada, Nov. 22 in Helsinki, Finland and Nov. 28, 2009 in Tauberbischofsheim, Germany. Hurley is currently ranked No. 2 in the world according to the most recent release of the FIE women’s junior epee rankings.
Since competing in her first junior tournament in 2003, Hurley has turned in 15 top-five finishes at various Junior World Cup events, including seven gold medal triumphs.
Four additional Irish fencers participated at the JWC in Budapest including freshman Lian Osier (Battle Ground, Wash.), who finished 18th in women’s sabre. In men’s sabre, Notre Dame freshman Jason Choy (Basking Ridge, N.J.) finished 31st. In men’s foil, sophomore Gerek Meinhardt (San Francisco, Calif.) finished 44th, while junior Hayley Reese (Crestwood, Ky.) finished 51st in women’s foil.
The Irish fencing team opens the 2010 NCAA schedule at the New York University Duals on Jan. 23.
— ND —