Dec. 6, 2011
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – University of Notre Dame fencers Madison Zeiss (women’s foil) and Enzo Castellani (men’s foil) have been named the Notre Dame Fencers of the Month for November, it was announced Tuesday by head coach Janusz Bednarski.
The pair earns the honors after their individual showings at the season-opening Garret Open, hosted by Penn State University (Nov. 19-20), which serves as a tune-up for the upcoming NCAA regular season.
Castellani got his senior campaign off to a quick start, earning a victory in the foil amongst the 43-member draw that featured entrants from eight different universities, including perennial rivals Ohio State and the host Nittany Lions. The result also was part of an Irish one-two finish in the weapon that saw fellow senior Reggie Bentley claim runner-up honors.
Zeiss meanwhile, competing in her first tournament as a member of the Irish roster, turned in a medalist performance after claiming third in the 50-member women’s foil field that saw 10 collegiate fencing programs represented. In addition to earning the highest finish among Irish entrants in the event, Zeiss also knocked off Penn State’s own Kane Gladnick to secure the podium finish.
The official NCAA regular season kicks off shortly after the turn of the calendar as the men head to Colorado Springs, Colo., to take part in the Air Force Duals (Jan. 7). The women get their official season underway two weeks later when they join up with the men’s squad at the St. John’s Duals (Jan. 21) in Queens, N.Y.
–ND–