Fencing Starts Season Strong At October NAC

Friday, October 4

Atlantic City, N.J.

North Carolina

October North American Cup

October 9, 2024 | Fencing

By: Daniel Forcella

CHAPEL HILL – Highlighted by a sixth-place finish in Division 1 Women's Sabre by Sophia Kovacs and a trio of top 16 finishes, the Carolina fencing team had an impressive start to its 2024-25 campaign at the North American Cup in Atlantic City.

Taking place over four days in New Jersey, the NAC was a great opportunity for the Tar Heels to finally hit other competitors early in the season.

"This was our starting point for the year, and we're definitely starting at a higher level than previous years," head coach Matt Jednak said following competition. "It's a testament to the student-athletes being prepared and buying into the process. They've been working on our goals and driving the process. The positive finishes we saw in this competition aren't where we plan to be at the end of the season. I see a strong and competitive season for us."

Kovacs medaled with a sixth-place finish and top 8 points in Division 1 Women's Sabre, while Finn Buchmann, Peter Bruk and Mariasole Capellua all came home with top 16 finishes in their respective competitions.

Buchmann placed 16^th in the junior men's sabre, Bruk was 14^th in the junior men's foil, and Capellua placed 10^th in the junior women's epee event.

Bruk and two other Tar Heels added top 32 finishes on the weekend. Bruk took 32^nd in division 1 men's foil, Mia Smotritsky was 26^th in junior women's epee, and Aiden Click placed 21^st out of a field of 356 in junior men's epee.

Click also had a top 64 finish in the division 1 men's epee, placing 55^th out of a field of 457. Elden Wood and Connor Woodward also had top 64 outings, tying for 36^th out of 255 in the division 1 men's sabre event.

Overall, the Tar Heels had an impressive showing, earning points all over the board in New Jersey. Carolina will next compete at the Nikki Frank Classic in Philadelphia Oct. 26-27.