Molly Sullivan Sliney (born August 13, 1966) is a former American foil fencer, now working as a motivational speaker and fencing instructor.

Molly Sullivan Sliney
Personal information
Born (1966-08-13) 13 August 1966 (age 58)
Methuen, Massachusetts, United States
Sport
SportFencing
Medal record
Women's fencing
Representing  United States
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1987 Indianapolis Team Foil
Gold medal – first place 1991 Havana Team Foil
USFA National Championships
Gold medal – first place 1985 Under 20 Individual Foil
Gold medal – first place 1985 Individual Foil
Gold medal – first place 1985 Team Foil

Sliney was a member of the 1988 and 1992 United States Olympic fencing teams.[1] She also won two gold medals in The women's team foil event at the 1987 and 1991 Pan American Games.[2] While fencing for the University of Notre Dame,[3] she was the NCAA Women's Foil Individual Champion in 1986 and 1988. At the time she was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for winning two individual NCAA titles.[4] Sliney also was U.S. National Champion in 1985.[5][6] In 1987, she led the Notre Dame Women's Foil Team to an NCAA championship by posting a 10–0 record in the tournament.[7] This was the first time the Fighting Irish had ever won an NCAA Women's title in any sport. She graduated with a 160–14 record,[8] and Notre Dame named her 1980s Female Athlete of the Decade.

Since retiring from competition in 1992, Sliney has been an active motivational speaker[9] and fencing instructor.[10] She primarily speaks to students, sharing her many experiences, including her experience with the learning disability dyslexia. Her presentations focus on the importance of reading, goal-setting and improving self-esteem.

In July, 2017, Sliney was inducted into the United States Fencing Hall of Fame.

In September, 2017, Sliney started Vivo Fencing Club along with Arpad Horvath in Bradford, Massachusetts as a partner and fencing coach. They later moved to Haverhill, Massachusetts.

References

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  1. ^ "Molly Sullivan Sliney Olympic Results". sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-04-18. Retrieved 2011-07-30.
  2. ^ LA Times - Aug 10, 1991
  3. ^ Notre Dame Archives
  4. ^ The Guinness Book of Records 1993 - page 238
  5. ^ The Museum of American Fencing Archived 2011-08-28 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ The Woman Fencer By Nick & Anita Evangelista - page 42
  7. ^ Fencing Title To Notre Dame - New York Times
  8. ^ Fighting Irish: Legends, Lists, and Lore By Karen Croake Heisler - page 191
  9. ^ A twice in a lifetime experience: Former fencer reflects on Olympics - Lawrence Eagle Tribune Archived 2015-02-02 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ "Fencing Programs". Archived from the original on 2015-02-02. Retrieved 2015-02-02.
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