Irish Remain Atop Both Men's And Women's Fencing Polls

Feb. 23, 2011

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame men’s and women’s fencing teams remained atop the United States Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA) College Fencing Coaches Poll, it was announced Wednesday by CollegeFencing360.com. The men retained the top spot after posting a 29-1 regular season record, while the women used a perfect 29-0 regular season to secure their ranking.

The men’s team recently ended their regular season with a 6-0 mark as a split squad at the Duke Duals and a home meet with Chicago, Illinois and Michigan State. The lone loss on the campaign came at the hands of third-ranked St. John’s, 15-12. Over the past two seasons the men have put together a near flawless record of 62-1.

The women’s meanwhile ended their campaign with a sweep of the home bouts against Chicago, Illinois and Michigan State to wrap up their second consecutive undefeated regular season. All told, the women currently carry an 88-match unbeaten streak in regular season tilts, dating back to the ’08-09 season.

The poll is the second of three polls the USFCA will release during the 2011 fencing season, with the final poll to appear in March after the NCAA Regional Qualifiers.

The Irish fencing teams will now look to follow up on their dominating 2011 regular season performance when they play host to the Midwest Fencing Conference Championships March 5-6 at the Joyce Center. Then on March 12 and 13 the Irish will participate in the 2010 NCAA Midwest Regional, which will be hosted by Wayne State in Detroit, Mich.

–ND–