Hurley sisters pursue sport's pinnacle

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A few months ago, the Hurley sisters from San Antonio realized a dream when they qualified for the U.S. Olympic fencing team.

With the start of the Olympics looming, the Warren graduates have also reached a crossroads in their respective careers.

Kelley, a 24-year-old Notre Dame grad, is talking about taking a break from it all after the Olympics, either attending medical school or trying her hand at modern pentathlon.

Courtney, 21, ranked No. 1 in the nation, plans to continue her undergrad studies at Notre Dame while continuing her quest to become the top women's épée fencer in the world.

In a recent interview, she paused to consider the reasons she has devoted more than half of her life to the sport.

At the top of her list is success.

Kelley and Courtney Hurley: Fencing, women's epee, USA Kelley and Courtney Hurley: Fencing, women's epee, USA Photo: KIN MAN HUI, San Antonio Express-News Photo: KIN MAN HUI, San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Hurley sisters pursue sport's pinnacle 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

“I mean, I like winning,” Courtney said. “That's one thing. I like being really good.”

Also, she said that while she wishes that more Americans understood fencing, the mystery of the sport is part of what draws her to it.

“I like how complicated it is and how nobody really gets it,” she said. “I mean, I would like for people to understand it, but it's so complicated. It's just kind of one of a kind. It feels good to be the best at it.”

Courtney said the best athletes in women's épée fencing are in their 30s.

“So, it takes a lot of experience to get good,” she said. “I feel like I'm getting closer to being the best in the world, which is part of my dream. That's it. I'm just trying to be the best in the world.”

Courtney Hurley, along with Maya Lawrence and Suzy Scanlan, will compete in the individual phase of the women's épée event in London.

Kelley Hurley, a 2008 Olympian and former U.S. No. 1, is a replacement athlete who will compete in the team phase at the coach's discretion.

“My ultimate goal is to get a medal in the Olympics in the senior division,” Kelley said. “The medals I've won have mostly been in the younger age groups ... (so) I would really like a medal in the team event.”

In April, Kelley Hurley edged Lindsay Campbell in the standings of a North American Cup event in Virginia to claim the fourth and final spot on the U.S. team.

With her position on the team secured, Kelley continued to rebound from a down year by defeating China's Yujie Sun, ranked No. 1 in the world, in Germany earlier this month.

Courtney said it's important to have her older sister available for the team competition.

“She's reliable,” Courtney said. “She's got experience. It would probably be impossible for us to do well as a team without her.”

jbriggs@express-news.net