February 27, 1999

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – On Saturday the Notre Dame second-ranked men’s and fourth-ranked women’s fencing team won the Midwestern Intercollegiate Combined Team Championship for the eighth consecutive year. Notre Dame finished ahead of Northwestern and Ohio State who finished second and third respectively. The Irish finished first in sabre, men’s epee, men’s foil and women’s foil while earning a third place finish in women’s epee.

The sabre squad defeated Cleveland State in the championship match of the weapon 5-2. 1998 NCAA champion and three-time All-American Luke LaValle finished the day with a 9-1 record. Freshman Gabor Szelle led the sabre squad in victories posting 10 wins against one loss. Ohio State finished third behind the Irish and Cleveland State.

The men’s epee squad was led by senior All-American Carl Jackson and freshman Brian Casas. Jackson was undefeated in his 13 bouts and Casas registered a 9-2 mark.

The men’s epee squad posted a 5-3 victory over Ohio State in the championship match. Finishing third in the weapon was Michigan State.

The men’s foil team shutout Northwestern 5-0 in the championship bout. Michigan State earned third place in the weapon. Senior captain Stephane Auriol and freshman Steve Mautone paced the Irish foilists. Auriol had six wins and no losses and Mautone posted nine victories against one loss.

Sara Walsh, the three-time All-American and Mishawaka native, led the Irish to the championship in women’s foil. Walsh was 17-0 on the day, while fellow Mishawaka native, Myriah Brown added 12 wins against two losses. The Irish defeated Ohio State in the championship match. In the final bout, which gave the Irish a 9-7 victory, senior Gina Couri defeated Ohio State’s Lyn El-Hillow 5-2. Northwestern placed third in the weapon.

Despite a 15-2 performance by All-American Magda Krol and a 16-2 showing by All-American captain Nicole Mustilli the women’s epee squad placed third behind Northwestern and Ohio State. The Irish lost to Ohio State in the semifinal round. Northwestern defeated Ohio State in the championship match 8-6 of women’s epee.

Notre Dame fencers will finish the Midwest championship competition on Sunday when they host the Midwestern Intercollegiate Individual Championship.