Duke University’s Tong Secures Silver Medal as Blue Devils Shine on Opening Day of ACC Championships

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Duke fencing team had an exciting first day at the ACC Championships. The women’s individual events and the men’s team matches took place at UNC’s Eddie Smith Field House.

Junior saber fencer Kunling Tong made waves, winning a silver medal, the best finish for her at this event. Last year, she placed eighth, and the year before, she was 11th. This time, she notched five wins in pool play, which earned her the No. 2 seed. In the quarterfinals, she defeated teammate Victoria Gorman with a score of 15-9. Tong then faced No. 6 seed Lola Possick from Notre Dame, winning that match 15-11 to reach the finals. Unfortunately, she lost to Magda Skarbonkiewicz from Notre Dame, finishing with a score of 15-9.

Three saber fencers from Duke advanced to the quarterfinals. Along with Tong and Gorman, the No. 4 seed Natalie Olsen also competed but lost in her quarterfinal match to Skarbonkiewicz.

In the foil category, sophomores Charlotte Koenig and Sophia Shen both made it out of pool play as the No. 3 and No. 5 seeds but were eliminated in the quarterfinals. Senior Rachel Kowalsky, the No. 5 seed in epee, faced the eventual champion Eszter Muhari of Notre Dame in her quarterfinal but was also unable to advance.

• The men’s team had a tough start, losing their first three matches by just one point, each ending in 14-13 scores.
• They turned it around with a win against Boston College, finishing 15-12, taking all three weapons by narrow 5-4 victories.
• Sophomore Dayaal Singh (foil), freshman William Holz (saber), and sophomore Samir Travers (saber) each achieved seven wins, leading the team.

Head coach Omar Elegziry shared his thoughts: “The results didn’t go our way today as we lost closely. It was tough for our fencers, but I see great growth and determination in this young team. With many freshmen, they fought hard and showed promise. This group is learning and developing, and I’m excited about their potential. While today was disappointing, we’re now focusing on preparing for regionals in two weeks. Go Duke!”

What’s Next

• The championships continue at 8 a.m. Sunday with men’s individual pool play, followed by the women’s team events starting at 1:30 p.m.

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Results Overview

Women’s Epee

• Monica Balakrishnan: 1-3
• Eiry Du: 1-4
• Rachel Kowalsky: 2-3; No. 5 seed, eliminated in quarterfinals

Women’s Foil

• Charlotte Koenig: 4-2; No. 3 seed, eliminated in quarterfinals
• Sophia Shen: 4-3; No. 5 seed, eliminated in quarterfinals
• Zizi Newhard: 3-3
• Skylar Knight: 2-4

Women’s Saber

• Kunling Tong: 7-1; No. 2 seed, finished second
• Natalie Olsen: 4-2; No. 4 seed, eliminated in quarterfinals
• Victoria Gorman: 4-2; No. 7 seed, eliminated in quarterfinals
• Hava Stone: 2-3

Duke Men – 1-3

• Lost to North Carolina: 14-13
• Lost to Notre Dame: 14-13
• Lost to Stanford: 14-13
• Defeated Boston College: 15-12

Men’s Epee

• Ethan Boroditsky: 4-7
• Peyton Young: 6-5
• Allen Marakov: 6-5
• Giulio Pech: 0-3

Men’s Foil

• Dayaal Singh: 7-5
• Joseph Glasson: 6-6
• Owen Li: 6-6

Men’s Saber

• William Holz: 7-5
• Samir Travers: 7-5
• Lev Ermakov: 5-5
• Justin Glozman: 0-2