University of North Carolina Athletics
Fencing Picks Up Three National Awards From Coaches Association
May 2, 2026 | Fencing
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.- Carolina fencing brought home three national awards from the United States Fencing Coaches Association.Â
For the first time in program history, Carolina has at least one individual athlete win a national award from the coaches' association. Former head coach Ron Miller won the National Coach of the Year award in 1983 and 1986.
National champion Youssef Shamel won both the Men's Epee Newcomer and Epee Fencer of the Year. Dagny Johnson won Women's Saber Newcomer of the Year.
Shamel was the first national champion in 43 years for Carolina. He also won
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First Carolina epee fencer to win a national championship
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First Carolina fencer to win a national championship and conference championshipÂ
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Only freshman to win a national championship this season
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All America honoreeÂ
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Atlantic Coast Conference Championships Most Valuable Fencer
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First Regional Champion
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ACC Men's Epee Fencer of The Year
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ACC Fencer of the Week
Dagny Johnson continued the legacy of dominant women's sabre fencers, as she delivered one of the best NCAA performances in program history by women's saber freshmen since at least 2001. She earned Second Team All-America honors as she finished in sixth. Dagny Johnson extended the streak of a women's sabre fencer qualifying for the national championship to four in a row.
Players Mentioned
