Nov. 23, 2009
HELSINKI, Finland – Sophomore epeeist Courtney Hurley (San Antonio, TX/Earl Warren) took home the women’s epee gold medal at a Junior World Cup event that concluded on November 22. It marks her second JWC gold medal finish of November, having won another gold on Nov. 1 in Montreal, Canada.
After pool play, Hurley was the fifth seed entering the direct elimination table of 64. She had a bye into the round of 32, where she knocked off Katariina Kiijarvi of Finland, 15-11. In the final 16, Hurley once again overcame Finnish opposition, as she dominated 21st-seeded Carolina Fusoni, 15-6. Then, in the quarterfinals, Hurley downed Estonia’s Katrina Lehis, 15-9. With a place in the championship bout on the line, Hurley posted a 15-9 win over ninth-seeded Avita Marinuk of Israel. Hurley finished off her impressive run with a 15-9 win over countrywoman Francesca Bassa, who was seeded sixth.
With the win, Hurley earned 32 points towards her junior ranking and now stands as the fourth-ranked junior women’s epeeist in the world (according to the fie rankings released on Nov. 23). Since competing in her first junior tournament in 2003, Hurley has turned in 13 top-five finishes at various Junior World Cup events, including five gold medal finishes.
Hurley and the Irish fencing team’s next collegiate event of the year will be take place on Dec. 5 when the team travels to Detroit, Mich. to take part in the I.Danosi Cup at Wayne State.
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