Nov. 2, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Notre Dame women’s fencing team competed at the 2008 Garret/Penn State Open on Saturday, November 1. The Irish had seven fencers advance to the final eight in their respective weapons, including three in foil, two in epee and two in sabre.
In foil action, senior Adi Nott (Pittsford, N.Y./Mendon) led the Irish, as she finished third to take home the bronze medal. Nott was defeated by eventual gold medalist Doris Willett of Penn State. Freshman Darsie Maylynn had a strong debut for the Irish, as she placed among the final eight foil competitors out of 53 entrants. Senior Emilie Prot (Limoges, France/Saint-Jean) joined Nott and Maylynn in the final eight.
In epee, the Irish had two of the top-three finishers out of a field of 57 entrants. World Champion Courtney Hurley (San Antonio, Texas/Earl Warren) finished with a silver medal, falling to Penn State’s Nina Westman in the final epee bout. Senior Kim Montoya (Las Vegas, Nev./Cheyenne) finished third to earn the bronze medal.
The sabre portion of the competition featured two top-eight finishes by the Irish in a field of 38 entrants. Sophomore Eileen Hassett (Beaverton, Ore./Aloha) led Notre Dame with a silver medal finish. Hassett was downed by Caroline Vloka of Harvard in the final sabre bout. Sophomore All-American Sarah Borrmann (Beaverton, Ore./Beaverton) finished in fifth, while senior Ashley Serrette (Orange, N.J./Oak Knoll School) finished in 11th place.
The Notre Dame men’s team is competing at the Penn State Open today, November 2, with bouts beginning at 8:30 a.m.