University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
February NAC
Kovacs Crowned North American Cup Champion
February 12, 2026 | Fencing
CINCINNATI, OH - Women's sabre put together an incredible day at the North American Cup, as former Tar Heel, Sophia Kovacs, won the NAC championship in Division 1 Women's Sabre, and current fencer, Dagny Johnson, finished in tenth. Johnson notched her second straight top-ten finish at the North American Cup.
Kovacs began as the No. 16 seed, winning her opening bouts in direct elimination 15-3 and 15-4. In the round of sixteen, she defeated Vivan Lu, the top overall seed and former All-American from Penn, with a 15-12 victory. Kovacs advanced to the final four after her next opponent medically withdrew. In the semifinals, Kovacs took a 7-1 lead and extended it to win 15-6, securing her spot in the finals. During the championship match, she overcame multiple small deficits, tying the score 9-9 before going on a 6-2 run to win 15-11.
Johnson, seeded sixth after pools and the highest Tar Heel, advanced to the round of sixteen. There, she faced Magda Skarbonkiewicz, Notre Dame's defending NCAA Champion, and fell 15-10 after a close bout.
Samantha Maryash had a good showing as she earned a BYE in the first round and she won her next round match by seven.
Results
Division 1 Women's Sabre
1st Sophia Kovacs
10th Dagny Johnson
53rd Samantha Maryash
T-91st Gabriella AlfaracheÂ
ÂJunior Men's Epee
T-78 Sebastian GlennonÂ
Players Mentioned
