(Sports Network) - Americans Sada Jacobson and Becca Ward have been named the top seeds for the sabre competition in women's fencing at the Summer Olympics, while reigning gold medalist Mariel Zagunis, also of the United States, is ranked sixth in the tournament. The U.S. women are also seeded first in the team competition, which starts on August 14th. The individual matches begin this Saturday.

Jacobson, who will be the No. 1 seed, won the bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. All three Americans will get a first-round bye in the tournament.

Following her third-place finish in Athens, Jacobson has won several World Cup events, including two this past year, which vaulted her to No. 1 in the USA rankings.

The top-ranked player in the world in women's sabre fencing is Elena Netchaeva of Russia. However, she is seeded third in the Olympic tournament. She finished a disappointing fifth in Athens.

For Ward, she won the gold medal at the 2006 World Championships and won five World Cup events last year. Against her main rivals, Jacobson and Zagunis, she is 8-2 all-time.

In the foil competition, the Americans are seeded seventh (Emily Cross), 25th (Erinn Smart) and 28th (Hanna Thompson). Russia is the top-ranked in women's foil. The Italian duo of Giovanna Trillini and Valentina Vezzali are seeded 1-2.

On the men's side, Andrea Cassara of Italy is the No. 1 seed in the men's individual foil tournament. Gerek Meinhardt is seeded ninth for the U.S.

American Keeth Smart is seeded seventh in the sabre competition, while teammates Tim Morehouse is 17th, Jason Rogers is 28th. Luigi Tarantino of Italy is the top seed.

Germany and France are 1-2 in the men's individual epee competition. Britta Heidemann is ranked first, while Jerome Jeannet is second. American Seth Kelsey is sixth.









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