USA Fencing

Notre Dame junior Ariel DeSmet has seen the mountaintop. Now he’s trying to get back.

The foil from Troutdale, Ore., won the 2011 NCAA championship as a freshman and is now looking to reclaim his crown. 

DeSmet didn’t have the opportunity to repeat as a champion in 2012, as he was training for the Olympics. But DeSmet has not lost any of the enthusiasm or drive he had two years ago. When asked what keeps him hungry, DeSmet’s answer is as simple as it is powerful.

“Just love of the sport and love of my teammates,” DeSmet said. “One thing that makes fencing in college unique is that it’s for a team, whereas most of the time fencing is an individual sport. Just being part of an awesome team keeps me going... more>