“Stay true to your dreams, work hard, and trust the process,” says powerhouse Francesca Russo, Wayne Valley Class of 2014, when asked about the key to her fencing success. From starting the sport when she was 9 to representing Team USA in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, Russo has done it all, showing hard work and determination along the way.
Russo started competing when she was 12 and became a part of the Wayne Valley Fencing team a few years later. When asked about her experience at Wayne Valley, Russo had nothing but good things to say. “It played a big role in my decision,” she emphasized. “It introduced fencing as a team sport, a dynamic I truly loved.
Russo went on to fence in Notre Dame in June 2014 on a full scholarship. She stated, “I always knew I wanted to take fencing to the next level, and when colleges began showing interest, I realized I could pursue both my academic and athletic goals at the right university.”
After years of hard work and dedication, Russo received the opportunity of a lifetime; to represent Team USA in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics as part of the Women’s Sabre Team. When asked how it felt to represent the USA in the Olympics, Russo shared, “Representing Team USA is a feeling I’ll treasure forever. While I’ve been part of several national teams and competed at world cups and world championships, there’s something truly unique about representing your country at the Olympics. The sense of unity and pride that comes from coming together with athletes from different sports under one flag on the world’s biggest stage is indescribable.” Russo believes competing in the Olympics shaped her as a person and made her who she is today. “Coming out of it, I proved to myself that I can achieve my goals if I push myself,” she says. “That mindset has carried over into my daily life, where I hold myself to a high standard and constantly remind myself of what I’m capable of achieving.”
Russo ultimately retired from fencing in 2022. “After Tokyo, I knew I needed a break.” Russo switched to a career in digital media, where she still works. Her journey as a fencer is a reminder that with hard work and perseverance, even the impossible can be possible.
