Wasatch Fencing is proud to announce that Gabe Carrier, a nationally ranked men’s épée fencer, has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his academic and athletic career at the University of Notre Dame, one of the NCAA’s most storied fencing programs and home to multiple national championships.
Carrier, a longtime member of Wasatch Fencing, becomes the latest elite-level athlete to join the Irish fencing tradition. Notre Dame’s men’s and women’s fencing teams are among the most successful collegiate programs in the nation, renowned for their exceptional coaching, strong team culture, and a proven pathway for athletes to compete at the highest levels of NCAA and international fencing.
For Gabe’s parents, Angella and Chad Carrier, Notre Dame represented everything they hoped to find in a college that would support their son both on and off the strip. “Notre Dame is truly an inspiring place that provides the perfect blend of strong academic offerings and the support of all athletic programs, not just football and basketball,” they said.
“Most importantly, we were very picky about looking at colleges with a coaching staff that cares about Gabe as a whole person and not just as a set of results. Fencing careers have ups and downs, and it was a priority to find a program that valued their athletes as people first.”
They added that Notre Dame’s coaching philosophy, academic excellence, and team culture made the decision a clear one. “We feel so fortunate to know that Gabe will be at a place that can meet all of his needs as a student, as an athlete, and as a person.”
For the Carrier family, Gabe’s signing is the culmination of a long and deeply meaningful journey. “Our family has poured so many resources into both of our kids’ fencing careers,” his parents shared. “We have watched Gabe win a lot, but we have also watched him lose a lot. Although many emotions are associated with loss, there are always lessons to be learned. Somehow, he always came back stronger after injury or a big loss. Without a doubt, he is a better person because of this sport.”
They emphasized that while the signing is an incredible milestone, it is just one more step in Gabe’s development. “Gabe is not done yet. He hopes to continue to develop and compete at a high level, while taking advantage of the incredible academic opportunities at Notre Dame.”
Gabe has trained at Wasatch Fencing since he was seven years old under longtime coach Kenny Nopens. The Carrier family credits the club’s unique environment—small, personal, and deeply committed to its athletes—as foundational to Gabe’s growth. “As we have traveled throughout the country and heard from other families about the financial and emotional costs of fencing at various clubs, we realize how lucky we are to be at a club like Wasatch,” said Angella and Chad. “The coaches know our kids on such a personal level due to the small size of the club. Kenny has sacrificed so much of his time and energy to develop Gabe as a fencer.”
While larger clubs may offer dozens of sparring partners every night, Gabe’s parents believe the sense of community at Wasatch made all the difference. “Our kids have a community that truly cares about them. This more than makes up for the smaller size of our club.”
Coach Kenny Nopens, who has guided Gabe for more than a decade, described Gabe as a rare athlete whose intelligence and adaptability set him apart. “He is smart and adaptable. He understands the game and how it can evolve.” When asked when he first saw NCAA potential in Gabe, Nopens didn’t hesitate: “When he was eight years old.”
For Gabe, the decision came down to the people, the team environment, and the chance to grow. “I chose Notre Dame for its strong fencing program and academics,” Gabe said. “More importantly, though, the coach is a kind and very genuine person. It’s hard to find someone who cares for his team like family. That was my number one factor.”
Reflecting on his own development, Gabe noted that reaching this level was never guaranteed. “I never thought I would be here. It wasn’t until the last two or three years that I started getting results that put me in competition with other fencers in my recruiting year. I think I still have a lot to learn, and college will serve as a pathway to improve myself as a fencer.”
Looking ahead to joining the Irish, Gabe expressed both humility and excitement. “I hope I can perform at my highest level while representing ND. I think my greatest strength is my love for the sport. This has pushed me to where I am today, and I hope in a college environment I can push both myself and my teammates.”