The Sports section of the Justice is starting a column called "Jury Duty" that hopes to spotlight different athletes every week. Please email sports@thejustice.org if you would like to nominate someone, send them this form, or fill out this form if you are interested in being in a short spotlight! My hope and aim for this is to bridge the gap between student-athletes and non student-athletes by highlighting relatable content to make the community feel more approachable.

Maggie Shealy ’23, M.A. ’24, is a standout saberist from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on the Brandeis Women’s Fencing team. Shealy has accumulated numerous accolades, including receiving University Athletic Association Athlete of the Week 14 times throughout her career, earning several All-American recognitions, receiving the prestigious Max I. Silber Award in 2023, two time National Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year, and maintaining a rigorous course load, earning honors with her senior thesis. An employee at Gosman Sports and Convocation Center, a Summa Cum Laude graduate, and four year Dean’s List recipient, Shealy’s incredible resume speaks for itself both on and off the fencing strip. Last but most certainly not least, Shealy was selected to train with the U.S. Olympic Fencing Team in Colorado earlier this fall. She is the first active Brandeis athlete to receive this invitation, and in addition to all of this, Shealy is currently teaching fencing at the Boston Fencing Club and a research assistant to the Dean’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. At the last NCAA Fencing Championships, Shealy tied for third, and with these new titles, Shealy continues to grow.

Shealy’s hard work ethic is contagious, and when she is not lifting or working out in Gosman or practicing her saber skills, she can be found at the Heller Zinner Forum. If you see Shealy around campus, there are a variety of different artists she could be listening to, but her go-to is always ABBA! Once the warmer weather rolls around, Shealy will most likely be eating mint chip ice cream, and a fun fact about this fencer is that she can ride a unicycle. Go support Shealy and the Women’s Fencing team this upcoming winter season, and roll deis!