Nov. 26, 2008
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Avery Zuck (Beaverton, Ore./Jesuit) placed fifth in men’s sabre at a Junior World Cup event in Dormagen, Germany on November 22. The sophomore stands in second place in the USFA men’s junior sabre point standings, which do not yet reflect his strong showing in Germany.
Zuck, a NCAA regional seventh place finisher as a freshman, was the highest U.S. finisher. Boris Savich of Russia finished in first, while Nikolasz Iliasz (2nd), Csaba Gall (t-3rd) and Bence Gemesi (t-3rd), all natives of Hungry, also finished ahead of Zuck.
“Avery Zuck’s top result in the Junior World Cup in Dormagen shows that he is consistently on the way to becoming our next world class caliber athlete in men’s saber,” said head coach Janusz Bednarski. “Last year, Patrick Ghattas showed others that by hard work, a Notre Dame fencer can progress during his studies to became a world class fencer and fight for a place in the USA National or Olympic team. Avery Zuck is trying to do this same and I am sure that he will also be successful,” he added.
Zuck continues a strong run of success that Irish fencers have had in 2008 Junior World Cup competition. Zuck’s sabre teammate Barron Nydam (Rancho Sante Fe, Calif./Sante Fe Christian) finished in second place at the Junior World Cup event held in Montreal, Canada in late October. He went on to finish in 46th place in Dormagen. Freshman Courtney Hurley (San Antonio, Texas/Earl Warren) bettered Nydam’s performance in Montreal, with a first place finish in women’s epee at the Junior World Cup to earn the gold medal.
The 2008-09 men’s and women’s fencing teams will open their dual-match season on January 24 at the St. John’s Duals in Queens, N.Y.
— ND —