Eric Boggs
Ohio State fans witnessed a historic performance as Natalia Botello etched her name into the program’s record books by capturing the 2026 NCAA saber national championship at Notre Dame. Entering the competition as the top seed, the junior from Tijuana, Mexico, delivered on expectations with a dominant showing that underscored her elite status on the national stage.
Botello’s path to the title was nothing short of commanding. After an unblemished 15-0 start on day one, she carried that momentum into the final rounds, finishing pool play at 21-2 with a remarkable +56 indicator. In the semifinal, she turned back Siobhan Sullivan with a 15-11 victory before overwhelming Magda Skarbonkiewicz in the championship bout. Botello seized control early, building a decisive lead and cruising to a 15-5 win to secure the national title and her second career First Team All-America honor.
Her victory marks a milestone for the Buckeyes, as Botello becomes the first Ohio State fencer to win an NCAA women’s saber title and just the fourth individual national champion in program history. She joins an elite group that includes Yelena Kalkina, Katarzyna Dabrowa, and Eleanor Harvey, further cementing Ohio State’s legacy in collegiate fencing.
Beyond Botello’s headline achievement, the Buckeyes saw additional strong performances. Gloria Klughardt earned Second Team All-America honors with an eighth-place finish in women’s epee, compiling a 14-9 record across the competition. Meanwhile, Marie-Frederique Millette gained valuable experience in her NCAA Championships debut, finishing 20th.
As a team, Ohio State placed seventh overall, while host Notre Dame claimed the national title. Even so, Botello’s championship performance stood as the defining moment for the Scarlet and Gray, reinforcing the program’s ability to compete at the highest level.
Attention now turns to the men’s competition, where four Buckeyes will take the strip looking to build on the momentum. Albert Bagdány and Solin Li will represent Ohio State in foil, while Viktor Kulcsar and Matthew Bülau will compete in epee. With Botello setting the standard, the Buckeyes enter the final days of the NCAA Championships with confidence and momentum.
