SOUTH BEND - Notre Dame's tight end Ty Washington is not just making waves on the football field; he’s also found a surprising new interest: fencing. As the NCAA Fencing Championships unfold at Purcell Pavilion, Washington is rallying his fellow teammates to check out the action.
“Some of us are heading over there on Saturday,” Washington shared after the first day of spring practice. “I’ve got Jack (Larsen) and Coop (Flanagan) joining. Even some of the defensive backs like Tae (Johnson) are coming along.”
Standing tall at 6-foot-4 and 253 pounds, Washington recently donned fencing gear for a promotional video. Despite a 5-0 defeat to NCAA women’s sabre champion Magda Skarbonkiewicz, Washington was all smiles, joking, “I went up against an Olympian, and I think I won, but they won’t admit it!”
Originally from Leesburg, Georgia, and a transfer from Arkansas, Washington had never encountered fencing until curiosity led him to explore the sport.
“I’d never seen fencing before. Coming from South Georgia and Arkansas, it’s not something you come across,” he explained. “When I heard there was a match nearby, I decided to check it out.”
Welcomed warmly by Notre Dame’s elite fencing program, Washington felt right at home. “They treat you like family,” he said of the 15-time national champions.
“I actually like fencing now. I think I’m pretty good at it.”
Washington tried both sabre and foil, finding the experience both challenging and exhilarating. “Foil is more patient and explosive, which can tire out a bigger guy like me. I prefer sabre-quick and direct.”
As for épée? “Didn’t try that one. It’s a bit more complicated,” he admitted.
The swords, he noted, were “not that heavy and easy to control,” leaving him with newfound respect for the fencing team and their legendary coach, Gia Kvaratskhelia. “He’s a legend. They told me he’s from Russia and a great coach.”
Kvaratskhelia’s welcoming nature left an impression. “He treated me like family and even joked about signing me up.”
While Notre Dame football might not be hosting fencing tournaments anytime soon, Washington is confident he’d be a top contender. “I’d be the champion, for sure,” he said, considering CJ (Carr) as his toughest competition.
“CJ’s competitive. He’d figure it out.”
Ty Washington might just have a future in fencing, blending his athletic prowess with a newfound passion.