UNC Claims First ACC Men's Fencing Title Since 1980

Sunday, February 25

South Bend, Ind.

North Carolina

ACC Championships (Team Competition)

The ACC men's title is UNC's first since 1980.

Photo by: ACC

February 25, 2024 | Fencing

Photo Gallery

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The North Carolina men's fencing team went 3-0 Sunday at the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships to earn the program's first title since 1980 and the ninth in program history.

Fencing at Notre Dame's Castellan Family Fencing Center, UNC started the morning with a win over Boston College, beating the Eagles 15-12 to kick off the morning.

Next up was the signature win, an upset of top-ranked Notre Dame, 17-10.

The Tar Heels claimed the crown with a win over their Triangle rivals, beating Duke 19-8.

The UNC men hadn't won a conference title since the ACC Fencing Championship was revived in 2015 with the addition of Notre Dame to the conference. Notre Dame has won the title in each of the past two years and a total of seven times since 2015.

Tar Heel freshman Boris Muga was named Most Valuable Fencer of the ACC after going 8-1 during his Sunday epee bouts and leading the men's epee squad to three wins and a combined 18-9 record.

Carolina dedicated the win to legendary coach Ron Miller, who started the program and led the Tar Heels to their first eight men's titles and to the program's first women's title in 2018. Miller passed away in June. He served as the program's head coach for 52 seasons.

Matt Jednak, a Carolina graduate and former Tar Heel fencer, is in his fifth season as the program's head coach. The 2024 ACC crown is his first.

In the afternoon session, the UNC women tied for third, finishing with a 1-2 record on the day. The Tar Heels fell to Duke 17-10 and then to eventual champion Notre Dame 19-8 before ending the event with a 15-12 win over Boston College.

2024 ACC Fencing Team Championships
Men's
1. North Carolina, 3-0
2. Notre Dame, 2-1
3. Duke, 1-2
4. Boston College, 0-3

Notre Dame def Duke, 17-10 (S45/F63/E72)
North Carolina def Boston College, 15-12 (S63/F36/E63)

North Carolina def Notre Dame, 17-10 (S63/F63/E54)
Duke def Boston College, 17-10 (S54/F63/E63)

North Carolina def Duke, 19-8 (S72/F63/E63)
Notre Dame def Boston College, 20-7 (S72/F63/E72)

Women's
1. Notre Dame, 2-1
2. Duke, 2-1
3. Boston College, 1-2
3. North Carolina, 1-2

Duke def North Carolina, 17-10 (S63/F72/E45)
Notre Dame def Boston College, 18-9 (S81/F54/E54)

Boston College def Duke, 14-13 (S54/F27/E72)
Notre Dame def North Carolina, 19-8 (S72/F63/E63)

Duke def Notre Dame, 18-9 (S63/F72/E54)
North Carolina def Boston College, 15-12 (S54/F54/E54)

Tiebreaker
Notre Dame def Duke, 2-1 (S45, F53, E51)