NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Marat Israelian, head coach of the Yale fencing program, has announced that Jordan Silberzweig and Amanda O'Donnell have been named 2025-26 captains for the men's and women's fencing teams, respectively. 

Silberzweig, a rising junior, has had a highly successful first two years as a Bulldog. A two-time All-American, Silberzweig also won the Ivy League Championship in saber in 2024. 

"Being elected captain is an opportunity to give back to the team that's given me so much," Silberzweig said. "YFT has been incredibly welcoming, and I'm excited to build on the amazing experience I've had so far. I hope to foster stronger team bonding and help us grow on and off the strip."

On the women's side, O'Donnell will enter her senior season as captain of the Bulldogs. She has been a three-year member of the squad, placing 12th at the Ivy League Tournament in epee this season. She is also an NCAA qualifier, finishing 19th overall in 2024. 

"I am honored to serve as captain and excited to lead such a dedicated and encouraging team. My goal is to help foster a supportive, collaborative environment where everyone feels empowered to be their best—both on and off the fencing strip," O'Donnell said. "With a strong group of returning athletes and a talented class of incoming first-years, I'm confident that this season holds something special, and I can't wait to see what we'll accomplish together."

Yale is expected to return more than a dozen athletes with varsity experience next season and the team is fresh off an 11th-place finish at the NCAA Championships in March.