Tar Heels Set For ACC Fencing Championships

Saturday, February 23

Chestnut Hill, Mass.

8:00 AM

North Carolina

ACC Championships (Women's Individual)

UNC heads into the ACC Championships this weekend as the defending women's champion.

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

February 22, 2019 | Fencing

Live Stats (Individual Competition)ACC Network Extra – Saturday ACC Network Extra – Sunday

By: UNC Athletic Communications

The North Carolina men's and women's fencing teams are set to open competition Saturday morning at the 2019 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships, hosted by Boston College at Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Action starts on Saturday at 8 a.m. with the women's individual bouts. Those will wrap up around 1 and the men's team competition will begin at 1:30 p.m. The Day 1 awards ceremony is set for 4:30 p.m.

On Sunday, the men's individual competition begins at 7 a.m. The women's team competition starts at 12:30 p.m. with awards at 3:30.

For the full schedule click here.

For complete ACC Championships info, including links for individual competition live stats and team competition live broadcasts on ACC Network Extra, click here.

UNC hosted the event last season and pulled off a thrilling team win, claiming Carolina's first women's ACC title in a fence-off with Notre Dame and Boston College.

"On the surface, it could be said that we are not as strong this season as we were a year ago going into the tournament," UNC coach Ron Miller said. "Yes, we have some recent injuries and illnesses to some of our best athletes, but we have had to overcome this same problem all season.

"Last year we were not expected to win. Some have said the same for this year. All I can say is don't count us out, women or men!"

The Tar Heels have had to be flexible with the weekend's expected lineup, with some expected to fencing in only the team or individual competitions.

"Since this Monday, we have changed our women's line-ups (team and individual) two different times and our men's epee captain, Jacob Henkels, will compete only in the team event," Miller said. "I can assure you that these changes have not altered our desire to achieve our goals. I believe we will remain competitive for improving our seeds and having a strong overall performance for all of our weapon squads and in both genders. This is what we have had to do all season – why should this tournament be any different?"

Henkels is expected to fence in the team competition, but he'll be replaced by Andrew Fulmer in the individual competition.

Junior Carlexa Fevry will miss the competition due to an injury and will be replaced in the foil lineup by sophomore Sylvia Zhu in both the individual and team events.

Junior Georgina Summers, who won silver in epee last season in UNC's second-highest individual finish ever, will not compete in the individual meets this year, but is expected to be part of the team competition. She'll be replaced in individual competition by freshman Claire Harmon.

"All this switching around sounds a little complicated, but it is necessary to protect many of our best athletes so they will still be able to compete in the NCAA regional in two weeks, and have a chance to qualify for the NCAA Championship," Miller said. "The individual results in the team events count for qualification to the regionals and a portion of the selection for the NCAA Championships."

The women's team, especially has struggled with injuries all season, but Miller looks at the bright side of that: younger fencers have gained more experience than they otherwise would have.

"Many of or less experienced walk-on athletes such as Sylvia Zhu and Claire Harmon have had experience starting in place of injured teammates all season," he said. "They have shown remarkable improvement and courage."

Additionally, starters have battled through injuries to continue to improve their skills even as they heal.

"Even though our depth is limited in some squads, we have been able to give important rest to some and valuable experience to others," Miller said.

While preparing his team for the start of postseason competition, Miller, now in his 52^nd season, gave special recognition to the team around him.

"I am most appreciative of our limited coaching staff – Will Randolph has done a truly outstanding job coaching, in the office and as our recruiting coordinator," Miller said. "Our two volunteer assistants, Zoe Loh in foil and Gill Adynski in sabre, have been indispensable. Our parent and alumni support has been the best ever. My wife, Susun, has done a remarkable job researching and providing information to our parents and alums through our social media presence. Thanks to everyone!"

2019 ACC Lineups for UNC:
Men's Foil
Connor Costa, Brian Lee, James Mulligan, and Ian Head
Men's Epee
Jacob Henkels (team only), Joe Taylor, Charles Roth, Michael Facci, and Andrew Fulmer (individual Only)
Men's Sabre
Beni Rabinowitz, Matt Garrelick, Connor Ritchey and Daniel Mogilevsky
Women's Foil
Sydney Persing, Wei Chee Chen, Aubrey Molloy and Sylvia Zhu
Women's Epee
Georgina Summers (team only), Justine De Grasse, Charlotte Summers, Erin O'Neil and Claire Harmon (Individual Only)
Wonen's Sabre
Jackie Litynski, Clara Somfelean, Julia Parzecki and Bridget Becchina