Notre Dame Fencing claims record 14th NCAA Championship

The Fighting Irish are back on top, securing their 14th NCAA fencing championship on March 23—the most by any team in Notre Dame Athletics history. This achievement marks the fencing team’s fourth team title in the last five years and ties them with Penn State for the second-most fencing national titles in NCAA history.

Under the leadership of head coach Gia Kvaratskhelia, who now holds a record-breaking six national championships—the most by any coach in Notre Dame history—the Irish dominated the four-day competition, finishing with 183 points, 11 ahead of second-place Columbia/Barnard.

The success didn’t stop with the team victory. Three Irish fencers claimed individual NCAA titles, bringing the program’s total to 48 individual national championships. Eszter Muhari (epee) and Magda Skarbonkiewicz (sabre) each won on Sunday, adding to Chase Emmer’s foil championship from Friday.

Muhari was unstoppable, going a perfect 23-0 in round-robin competition before securing her second consecutive NCAA title. In sabre, Skarbonkiewicz and teammate Siobhan Sullivan faced off in an all-Irish final, with Skarbonkiewicz emerging victorious.

These achievements are a testament to the dedication of Notre Dame student-athletes and the exceptional support systems that enable them to train, compete, and succeed at the highest levels. Rockne Athletics Fund donors are instrumental in providing such resources to student-athletes, powering the fencing team by helping to defer costs related to equipment, competition travel, student-athlete scholarships, and more.

As we celebrate this championship, please consider making a gift to the Rockne Athletics Fund in recognition of Notre Dame Fencing’s amazing achievements. Your unwavering support continues to empower our student-athletes, enabling them to achieve greatness in competition, in the classroom, and in their communities. Together, we look forward to many more victories and the continued success of Notre Dame Athletics.