2025 Summer Nationals, Day 10 Recap: Returning Medalists and First-Time Champions as Tournament Draws to a Close

“I want to win the Olympics,” she said during her post-medal ceremony interview that day.

But while that mountaintop moment may be a few years away, Jiang took the next big step toward greatness at Summer Nationals on Monday by adding another title to her resume: national champion.

She won the Y-12 Women’s Saber national championship — one of six gold medals awarded on the 10th and final day of the 2025 Summer Nationals.

Jiang says the road to the national championship wasn’t easy.

“I had to train every day for so many hours, and it was really tiring,” she says. “But now I feel like it really paid off, and I really want to thank my coaches for helping me get here.”

That training, plus an unlikely breakfast of macaroni and cheese, turned out to be the difference. 

Daniel Dodin (New York Fencing Academy) also followed up his March NAC gold with a Summer Nationals championship — winning the top prize in Y-12 Men’s Epee.

“I'm really excited that I won again,” he says. “I worked really hard to get here — even harder than I worked for the NAC.”

His path to gold included a comeback from down 14-12 in the quarterfinals. Even though he was trailing, Dodin says he didn’t let himself get stressed.

“Why should I think about losing? I have to think about winning,” he says. “I believed in myself that I didn't think that I could lose this. I thought I was gonna win.”

For Desmond Evans (Massialas Foundation (M Team)) in Y-10 Men’s Foil, the desire to win meant tuning out the distractions of cheering clubmates and his name in lights on the finals strip. 

“I really tried to treat it like a normal bout,” he says. “But it's just really cool to have your name up on the strip. It’s cool having everyone watch.”

Evans isn’t sure what his next big goal will be ± but knows for certain that he’ll cherish his shiny new medal and trophy.

“Really, it’s just a big moment,” he says, “and I'm hoping my fencing career goes on.”

Leo Xue (Sabio Fencing Academy & Texas Sabre Academy) wasn’t sure when starting the day that he’d win gold in Division III Men’s Saber, but he knew one thing for sure: He was ready, and he had faith.

“I fought hard,” he says. “I had peace in my soul. After bouts, I pray to God, pray to Jesus, to give me peace in my soul, and I just want to focus and not think about anything else.”

Gold and National Champion: Desmond Evans (Massialas Foundation (M Team))

Silver: Charlie Tan (Plymouth & Ann Arbor Fencing Academy)

Bronze: Kevin Xian (5T Fencers Club)

Bronze: Brandon Lu (Golubitsky Fencing Center)

5th: Tristan Venafro (Fencers Club Inc.)

6th: Roy Sun (SoCAL Fencing Center)

7th: Alex Zeng (Research Triangle Fencing)

8th: Lerui Zheng (Renaissance Fencing Club)

Gold and National Champion: Olivia Puthoff

Silver: Aphrodite Tsimiklis (5T Fencers Club)

Bronze: Joanna Wang (V Fencing Club)

Bronze: Sophie Duan (Team Touche Fencing Center)

5th: Alice Li (Silicon Valley Fencing Center)

6th: Maya Orbé-Austin (Peter Westbrook Foundation & Fencers Club Inc.)

7th: Amabel Wang (Tim Morehouse Fencing Club (Port Chester))

8th: Vivian Zhang (Star Fencing Academy)

Gold and National Champion: Evelyn Jiang (LA Fencing Academy of Pomona)

Silver: Rei Nemorin (Manhattan Fencing Center)

Bronze: Joy Gong (International Fencing Club)

Bronze: Skylar Yu (LA Fencing Academy of Pomona)

5th: Charlotte Choi (Tim Morehouse Fencing Club)

6th: Karen Lai (Lone Star Fencing Center)

7th: Jheaven Dimapilis (San Diego Fencing Center)

8th: Sophie Hwang (LA Fencing Academy of Pomona)

Gold and National Champion: Daniel Dodin (New York Fencing Academy)

Silver: Ryan Midyany (New York Fencing Academy)

Bronze: Lucas Mikhail (Cardinal Fencing Academy)

Bronze: Michael Xue (LA International Fencing)

5th: Evan Du (LA International Fencing)

6th: Gene Kim (Penta Olympic Fencing Club & Olympian Fencing Club)

7th: Nolan Fu (Swords Fencing Studio)

8th: Ryden White (Beverly Hills Fencers' Club)

Gold and National Champion: Nora Buca (Bay Area Fencing Club)

Silver: Quinley Fischbein (Maximum Fencing Club)

Bronze: Emily Pye (Phoenix Falcons Fencing Club)

Bronze: Kjirsten Jorgensen (Twin Cities Fencing Club)

5th: Bethany Yung (Maximum Fencing Club)

6th: Klaire Gieleghem (Sword in the Scroll Fencing Academy)

7th: Aly Garcia (Bucks County Academy of Fencing)

8th: Adeline Depauw (Traverse City Fencing Club)

Gold and National Champion: Leo Xue (Sabio Fencing Academy & Texas Sabre Academy)

Silver: Christoffer Lamtan (Manhattan Fencing Center)

Bronze: Richard Cobian (West Coast Fencing Academy)

Bronze: Lakshya Yadav (Jacksonville Fencing Club)

5th: Brian Lee (West Coast Fencing Academy)

6th: Ryan Tan (The Fencing Center & Cardinal Fencing Club)

7th: Jack Levy (Sheridan Fencing Academy)

8th: Bennett Crain (Forge Fencing Teams DUR)

Find the gallery here.