SOUTH BEND, Ind. (theACC.com) – North Carolina won its first ACC Men’s Fencing Championship since 1980, while Notre Dame prevailed in a fence-off to claim the women’s team title on Sunday at the 2024 ACC Fencing Championships, which were held at ND’s Castellan Family Fencing Center. UNC won its ACC-record ninth men’s title and first in 44 years, while the Fighting Irish women, following a fence-off with Duke, captured their third straight championship and eighth in the last 10 seasons.
North Carolina freshman épéeist Boris Muga was named the Men’s Most Valuable Fencer of the ACC Championships after going 8-1 during his Sunday bouts. Notre Dame sophomore foilist Josephina Conway was voted Women’s Most Valuable Fencer after winning the individual foil championship and winning the foil bout to clinch the fence-off versus Duke.
Seeded No. 3 entering the team championships, the North Carolina men posted three decisive results to win the team crown. UNC started the day with a 15-12 win over No. 2 seed Boston College, then defeated top-seeded Notre Dame, 17-10. The Tar Heels clinched the team crown with a 19-8 triumph over fourth-seeded Duke. Anchored by Muga, UNC’s épée squad was especially impressive, prevailing in all three matches by a combined 18-9 score.
Notre Dame and Duke each went 2-1 in the team competition, setting up the first-ever two-team fence-off for the team championship. Duke’s Victoria Gorman won, 5-4, over Chelsea Delsoin at sabre and Notre Dame’s Amanda Pirkowski then prevailed, 5-1, over Chloe Beittel at épée to set up the deciding bout at foil, which Conway won 5-3 against Rachel Koo to clinch the championship.
Notre Dame placed second in the men’s competition with a 2-1 record, while Duke (1-2) was third and Boston College (0-3) took fourth. Boston College and North Carolina tied for third place on the women’s side with 1-2 records.
Ohio State will play host to the 2024 NCAA Fencing National Championships from March 21-24, at French Field House in Columbus, Ohio. Qualifying teams will be unveiled on March 12.
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)