In 2004, Mariel Zagunis became the first American woman ever to win a medal in Olympic fencing when she won the gold medal in the women’s individual sabre competition just a week before starting her freshman year at Notre Dame.
In 2008, she defended her gold medal by defeating fellow American and top-seeded Sada Jacobson 8-4 in the three minute and thirty-four second bout.
In the opening round the fifth seed Zagunis defeated Canada’s Sandra Sassine 15-10 to advance to the Sweet 16 of Olympic fencing where she squeaked by Poland’s Bogan Jozwiak 15-13 before dominating China’s Yingying Bao 15-9 to advance to the semifinals.
Zagunis defeated incoming Duke freshman and fellow American Becca Ward 15-11 in the bronze medal round as the American’s swept the podium.
Eight other Notre Dame student-athletes or alumni will participate in the 2008 Games:
Soccer: Kate Markgraf and Shannon Boxx - United States. Melissa Tancredi and Candace Chapman – Canada.
Fencing: Gerek Meinhardt – United States. Kelley Hurley - United States
Track and Field: Thomas Chamney - 800 M – Ireland. Selim Nurudeen - 110 M High Hurdles – Nigera.
