USA Fencing Announces National Weapon Coaches for 2024-28

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — USA Fencing is excited to introduce the national weapon coaches for the 2024–2028 Olympic and Paralympic cycle. This group of experienced and talented professionals is poised to guide our athletes as we build toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games — the first home Summer Games in 32 years.

Each of these coaches brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique competitive background to their respective squads. Notably, four of these national coaches are former U.S. Olympic athletes, exemplifying a growing trend of homegrown coaching talent leading Team USA.

Beyond Olympic and Paralympic goals, these coaches are committed to the development of their squads. From hosting camps to crafting selection criteria and supporting athletes at all levels from cadet to senior, these coaches will play an essential role in shaping the future of U.S. fencing.

Let’s meet the coaches!

Eric Soyka, founder of The Phoenix Center and current national parafencing coach, has spent nearly two decades training athletes across all three weapons. Soyka’s athletes have earned national and international medals, and he looks forward to further growing the parafencing program.

“I’m thrilled to be able to resume my role as the national coach for USA Parafencing,” Soyka says. “Our team has seen amazing growth within the Paris cycle, and I’m excited to be able to continue that work into LA28. I’m looking forward to working with clubs across the country to grow parafencing and to help our existing athletes continue their growth."

Natalie Dostert, a former German national champion and highly experienced coach, leads Team USA’s women’s epee squad. 

Since joining Houston’s Alliance Fencing Academy in 2015, Dostert has been instrumental in training U.S. national team members and guiding them to international success. A biology graduate of the University of Bonn, Dostert holds a German “Coaching ‘A’” license and has consistently developed elite fencers.

She served as Women’s Epee National Coach in the 2021–2024 Olympic quad, helping lead Team USA to a ranking of fifth in the world.

“I’m excited to work with an amazing group of motivated and hardworking fencers for LA28,” Dostert says.

Seth Kelsey OLY, a three-time Olympian and a stalwart of U.S. fencing, now brings his extensive experience to the men’s epee team. Kelsey was a top-16 ranked epee fencer globally for over a decade and earned gold at the 2012 World Championships as the anchor of the men’s epee team. Kelsey also coached the U.S. Modern Pentathlon Team at the 2016 Rio Olympics and continues to run successful camps and clinics at Northwest Fencing Center.

“I’m honored to stand with this fierce and passionate group of athletes, each one a fencer with grit, heart, and an unbreakable drive,” Kelsey says. “Together, we’ll forge a path toward greatness.”

Ralf Bissdorf OLY-GER, an Olympic silver medalist with Germany and former world champion, continues his role as head coach for the women’s foil team. Under Bissdorf’s guidance, Team USA made history by winning the first-ever team gold at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. With a background in political science and an impressive coaching career that spans multiple countries, Bissdorf is poised to guide Team USA to further success.

“I am really happy to continue to work with the Women’s Foil Team,” Bissdorf says. “Now on to new endeavors — Los Angeles 2028 is an exciting project.”

Greg Massialas OLY, a member of the USA Fencing Hall of Fame and father of Olympians Alexander and Sabrina Massialas, continues to lead the men’s foil team. Massialas has been at the helm of a team that has consistently ranked No. 1 globally and achieved remarkable success on the Olympic stage. He also founded the Massialas Foundation to nurture young talent in San Francisco.

“It’s an honor to be selected again as the USA men’s foil national coach,” Massialas says. “We’re looking forward to bringing home gold in LA 2028!”

Dagmara Wozniak OLY, a three-time Olympian and 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, now leads the women’s saber team. Wozniak’s career as an elite athlete spanned 17 years on the national team, and her leadership extends to coaching young athletes both on and off the strip, including her current role as an assistant coach at Harvard.

“It is an honor to give back to the sport that gave me so much,” Wozniak says. “You can expect the same effort from me as a coach that I gave as an athlete.”

Aleks Ochocki, a former national champion and longtime coach, now takes on the role of men’s saber national coach after serving in the last quad as women’s saber national coach. Ochocki’s tenure includes coaching Eli Dershwitz OLY to an individual gold at the 2023 World Championships. Ochocki, a Penn State graduate, won two individual NCAA titles and fenced on the cadet, junior and senior national teams.

“Being the men’s saber national coach is a profound honor,” Ochocki says. “I look forward to working with the athletes and personal coaches to push for excellence.”

Tim Morehouse OLY, a 2008 Olympic silver medalist, three-time U.S. Olympic team member, and three-time U.S. National Champion, steps into the role of director of men’s saber, bringing an impressive blend of competitive experience and a deep commitment to developing young athletes. Beyond his accolades on the strip, Morehouse holds a Master’s degree in education and has extensive experience in educational development from his time with Teach For America, his foundation Fencing in the Schools, and his work as a fencing coach and club owner. Through these roles, Tim has guided countless athletes, from their first youth experiences to the heights of international competition.

“Our mission for the LA Games is clear: to bring home the gold for Team USA,” Morehouse says.

As we welcome this new team of national coaches, we extend our deepest gratitude to those whose terms concluded after Paris 2024: Franco Cerutti, Dwight Smith, Akhi Spencer-El OLY and Cedric Loiseau.