The results are coming in. US Wins the Gold Medal in Men’s Team Foil – the first time US has beaten Cuba since 1971! The United States also garnered medals in the individual foil and sabre events.
Talented Fencers in Contention for Individual, Team Successes
The United States is fielding a young, but strong team for the 2003 Pan American Games and will seek medals in every event. Two athletes will represent the U.S. in individual competition, with a third joining in
team contests.
Leading the U.S. contingent is Sada Jacobson, currently ranked #1 in the world in women’s sabre. She will be joined by her sister, Emily Jacobson, currently ranked #6 in the world, and 2003 NCAA Champion Alexis Jemal in team competition.
Ivan Lee, the 2003 U.S. National Champion, will anchor the strong men’s sabre squad with Jason Rogers and Adam Crompton, both silver medal team members at the 2003 Junior World Championships.
The women’s foil team — 2000 Olympic alternate Erinn Smart, 2003 Cadet World Champion Emily Cross and 2003 Junior World finalist Hannah Thompson— will seek multiple medals in individual and team competition.
The men’s foil squad is strong and experienced and looking to defend or exceed its 1999 silver Pan American team medal. Dan Kellner returns to lead the trio that also includes 2003 National Champion Jon Tiompkin and fellow veteran national team member Jed Dupree.
Stephanie Eim, the 2003 National Champion and currently ranked #1 in the United States, will anchor the women’s epee team, joined by Elizabeth Spillman and pentathlete Kelly Hurley for team competition.
Eric Hansen, a finalist in last month’s World Cup in Argentina, will be joined by top U.S. ranked and 2002 U.S. National Champion Seth Kelsey, and Soren Thomson, the 2002 Junior World Championship bronze medalist.
Results from the Pan American Games do not count towards Olympic Games qualification, but is a good indicator of how the USA could fare in the regional Olympic qualification event.
Fencing for the 2003 Pan American Games will begin on Aug. 2, starting with men’s foil and women’s sabre individual competition, and end on Aug. 7 with men’s sabre and women’s epee team events.
Read more at:
Fencing Discussion: 2003 Pan American Games Results
