Detroit, Mich. (2/21/02)–The Notre Dame men’s and women’s fencing teams each went 4-0 on Sunday at the Wayne State Duals in Detroit, Mich.

The first-ranked (following the U.S.F.C.A. poll, released on Tuesday, February 21st) Notre Dame men extended their unbeaten streak to 63 matches, dating back to the 2000 season. The Irish, who conclude with an 18-0 record this season, still need 35 more victories to catch the record of 98 set between 1984-1988. This is the 18th undefeated season for a Notre Dame men’s fencing team. The Irish men defeated Michigan State (25-2), Detroit-Mercy (27-0), Lawrence (27-0), and Michigan (25-2).

The third-ranked Irish women scored victories over Michigan State (19-8), Detroit-Mercy (23-4), Lawrence (24-3), and Michigan (21-6).

The Notre Dame men’s epee squad posted a 32-4 record on the day and finished 135-27 (.833 win percentage) on the season. Senior All-American Brian Casas, undefeated on the day (7-0), finished his career in fourth place on the all-time epee career wins list at 156-55. Junior first team All-American Jan Viviani remains atop the epee career winning percentage list (118-14/.894 winning percentage), finishing his season at 42-3. His .933 season winning percentage places him third on the epee single season win-percentage list (following his fifth place finish last year) and is the highest by an epeeist since 1989. Viviani is 12th on the all-time individual career winning percentage (which combines all weapons) and 38th on the individual career win leaders list.

The men’s foil squad went unbeaten (36-0) on the day and finished the season 127-35 (.784). Junior All-American Ozren Debic (12-0 on the day), remains in first place on the foil career winning percentage (126-7/.947), 29th on the individual career win leaders list, third on the individual career winning percentage list, and places sixth on the foil single season win percentage (30-2 season record/.938 win percentage), making the list for the third straight year, a feat accomplished by no other Irish fencers. Senior Steve Mautone finishes his career with the Irish (12-0 day, 28-15 season, 137-59 career) in 20th place on the individual career win leaders list.

The men’s sabre team also managed an undefeated day (36-0), and finished 133-29 (.821) for the season. Senior All-American Andrzej Bednarski (6-0 day, 33-11 season, 152-32 career) moved into fifth place on the sabre career wins list, and 12th place in individual career win leaders. Senior All-American Andre Crompton (9-0 day, 42-5 season, 150-19/.888 career) places sixth on the sabre career wins list, eighth on the career winning percentage list, 13th in individual career wins, and 15th in individual career winning percentage. Junior Matt Fabricant (7-0, 39-8, 102-17/.857) places 28th on the individual career winning percentage list, and 50th in individual career wins.

The women’s epee squad (31-5 on the day) finished the season 157-41 (.793). Junior All-American Anna Carnick (4-1 day, 46-8/.852 season, 140-36/.795 career) moved into fifth place on the epee career wins list, fourth place on the epee career winning percentage list, and seventh place in the epee single season winning percentage. Classmate and fellow All-American Meagan Call (5-0, 37-19, 130-42) moved into sixth place on the epee career wins list. Sophomore Kerry Walton (5-0 day) finished her impressive debut season finishing with a record of 50-5 (.909), placing her third on the epee single season winning percentage.

The Irish women’s foil squad (26-10 on the day) ended the season with a 149-49 (.753) record. Freshman Andrea Ament finished 5-0 on the day and 27-2 (.931) on the season. Classmate Alicja Kryczalo (3-0, 39-2/.951) places seventh on the foil single season winning percentage list. Junior Liza Boutsikaris (4-0, 41-13, 131-28/.823) places 17th on the individual career winning percentage list.

The women’s sabre squad (30-6 on the day) finished the season at 137-61 (.692). Senior Carianne McCullough ended her career with the Irish with a 8-0 day, improving to 42-9 (.823) for the season and 161-38 (.809) for her career, which places her third on the sabre single season wins list, and fourth on the single season winning percentage list (McCullough’s 2001 record places her third on that list as well). McCullough is behind teammate and sophomore Destanie Milo (4-0, 45-8/.849, 86-20/.811) who is second in both the sabre single-season wins list and the single season winning percentage. McCullough ranks 22nd on the women’s all-time individual career winning percentage list.

Notre Dame will play host to the Midwest Conference Championships on March 2-3 at the Joyce Center, with the bouts set to begin at approximately 8 a.m.