Nov. 18, 2014
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame fencing program has so far started its season on a high note. After finishing 4-1 on the men’s team and 5-0 in the women’s competition at the Ohio State Elite Cup Sunday afternoon, it was announced by conference officials Tuesday that freshman women’s sabreist Francesca Russo and men’s foilist Hazem Khazbak had both won ACC Fencer of the Week awards.
“They were both dominant,” associate head coach Gia Kvaratskhelia says. “They both came out on fire Sunday, and weren’t going to give anyone else a chance to even come close in their bouts.”
Russo, making her first start with the Irish, went an astounding 13-1 throughout the day, the best record posted by an Irishwoman in any weapons class. Prior to Sunday’s competition, she closed the women’s exhibition match against Northwestern on Friday evening, scoring the final five touches to clinch the win, 60-45.
Khazbak, a foilist from Lexington, Kentucky with experience on the Egyptian National Team, had the highest win percentage on the men’s team with an 82% (9-2 record). He remained undefeated against both Pennsylvania and Princeton, posting 3-0 scores against both, and finished the day 2-1 against Penn State and 1-1 versus host Ohio State.
The Irish are next in action Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Penn State Garret Open at State College, Penn.
Lizzie Mikes,
Media Services Coordinator
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