Aug. 5, 2012
2012 ND Olympic Fencing Galleries: C. Hurley | K. Hurley | Kiefer | Meinhardt | Zagunis
LONDON – Notre Dame senior fencer Gerek Meinhardt earned a fourth-place finish Sunday as a member of the United States Men’s Team Foil squad at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Meinhardt (San Francisco, Ca./Lick-Wilmerding HS), an alternate during the opening week of the games, replaced fellow U.S. fencer Miles Chamley-Watson midway through a quarterfinal match against France. It was Meinhardt’s second career Olympic appearance, as he competed in the Men’s Individual Foil during the 2008 games (Beijing) for Team USA.
With the U.S trailing France 30-24 after six bouts, Meinhardt logged an impressive 11-1 surge against Victor Sintes in bout number seven to spark a 45-39 come-from-behind win for the American team.
Meinhardt won his second bout during the bronze medal match against Germany, dropping Peter Joppich in a 6-5 decision. Meinhardt’s performance was not enough to overcome a steep U.S. deficit, as Germany claimed the bronze medal with a 45-27 victory.
Meinhardt was the third fencer with Notre Dame ties to compete in a bronze medal match in as many days. Courtney Hurley and Kelley Hurley won their first career medals Saturday as members of the U.S. Women’s Team Epee roster that defeated Russia 31-30 in overtime.
Incoming freshman Lee Kiefer (Women’s Individual and Team Foil) and former Irish standout Mariel Zagunis (Women’s Individual Sabre) also represented Notre Dame and USA Fencing during the 2012 Olympic Games.
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