Feb. 20, 2015
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame men’s and women’s fencing programs are used to conference championships, coming from the Midwest Fencing Conference. In 2014-15 though, they changed to the Atlantic Coast Conference – and with the move, ushered in a new era in ACC Fencing. Saturday, Feb. 21 and Sunday, Feb. 22, the Irish take part in the first ACC Fencing Championships since 1980, held in the Carmichael Arena on the University of North Carolina’s campus.
“We are really excited about this weekend,” Irish head coach Gia Kvaratskhelia says. “There is definitely a buzz, a feeling of excitement amongst our team to be a part of this historic weekend. We’re looking forward to stable and dynamic performances, continuing what we’ve been working on these past few weeks.”
The men’s team competes first, with three rounds of team competition Saturday morning from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. ET. The individual weapons events start at 12 p.m. ET. The women’s team will be featured Sunday, with team competition beginning at 7 a.m. and individual competitions starting at 11 a.m. ET.
Notre Dame holds the highest rankings in both the men’s and women’s standings, with the men’s team sitting at No. 4 and the women’s team, No. 2 in the CollegeFencing360.com Coaches Poll. Duke, North Carolina and Boston College are all receiving votes in the women’s division, with the Blue Devils’ men’s team ranked ninth.
The ACC last held men’s fencing championships from 1971 through 1980, during which time six league institutions sponsored the sport (Clemson, Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State and Virginia). North Carolina – coached then by still-current head coach Ron Miller – won eight of the 10 titles during the decade, while Clemson and Maryland each won one apiece.
Entry to the event is free for all spectators, with parking available in the Raleigh Road Visitors Lot and in both the Cobb and Bell Tower Parking Decks. Fans are encouraged to follow @ACCFencing on Twitter, and use the official hashtag #ACCFencing throughout the weekend. Periodic updates will also be posted on the team Twitter handle, @NDFencing, with daily recaps on und.com.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Saturday, February 21
Men’s Team Tournament
8 a.m. – Notre Dame v. Boston College (Strips 1-3)
8 a.m. – Duke v. North Carolina (Strips 4-6)
9 a.m. – Notre Dame v. North Carolina (Strips 1-3)
9 a.m. – Duke vs. Boston College (Strips 4-6)
10 a.m. – Notre Dame v. Duke (Strips 1-3)
10 a.m. – North Carolina v. Boston College (Strips 4-6)
Men’s Individual Tournament
12 p.m. – Foil (Strips 1-3)
12 p.m. – Epee (Strips 4-6)
12 p.m. – Sabre (Strips 7-8)
4 p.m. – Semifinal and Final Bouts
4:45 p.m. – Awards
Sunday, February 22
Women’s Team Tournament
7 a.m. – Notre Dame v. Boston College (Strips 1-3)
7 a.m. – North Carolina v. Duke (Strips 4-6)
8 a.m. – Notre Dame v. Duke (Strips 1-3)
8 a.m. – North Carolina v. Boston College (Strips 4-6)
9 a.m. – Notre Dame v. North Carolina (Strips 1-3)
9 a.m. – Duke v. Boston College (Strips 4-6)
Women’s Individual Tournament
11 a.m. – Foil (Strips 1-3)
11 a.m. – Epee (Strips 4-6)
11 a.m. – Sabre (Strips 7-8)
3 p.m. – Semifinal and Final Bouts
3:45 p.m. – Awards
Lizzie Mikes,
Media Services Coordinator
–ND–