Wearing an Epee Crown

Harvard fencer Jim O'Neill's career was a case of great expectations fulfilled.

When O'Neill arrived at Harvard four years ago, there was little doubt he would rank among the greatest of Harvard's fencers.

As a top recruit out of Concord High School, he had already established himself as one of top young fencers by winning an under-19 championship.

And four years later, Harvard fencing Coach Ben Zivkovic is not the least bit shy about proclaiming O'Neill the best ever.

"Jim O'Neill is by far the best fencer in Harvard history," Zivkovic says. "In the past, we've gotten good fencers out of high school, but none have performed like Jim. He outdid them all."

As a junior last year, O'Neill proved himself to be the best in all of collegiate fencing. The 6-ft., 3-in. Kirkland House resident won the NCAA epee championship. After falling behind in the championship final, O'Neill rallied past John O'Laughlin to capture the title by one point.

"You can never anticipate winning a national championship," O'Neill says. "You envision it, you can dream about it, but you don't know what it feels like until you actually win it."

This past year O'Neill finished third in national competition. While O'Neill failed to win the national title for a second consecutive season, he did accomplish another goal. He won the International Fencing Association Championship, the one major title he failed to win in his first three years.

"That was one of my goals this year," O'Neill says. "My fencing career is pretty much complete now."

In addition, O'Neill also participated in the World University Games in 1985, made the Junior World team during the 1984-85 year and the U.S. Pan Am team the following year.

O'Neill is the first Harvard fencer to garner All-Ivy status for four consecutive seasons, and only the fifth fencer in Ivy League history to do so.