ST. CROIX — With focus, discipline, and a deep connection to his Crucian roots, Kruz Schembri delivered a historic performance for the Virgin Islands Monday, winning gold in the épée fencing event at the Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, Paraguay — the first gold medal for the Virgin Islands in a Pan American competition, junior or senior.
Schembri, 18, dominated the day from the start. He swept all his preliminary group matches, entered the elimination round as the No. 1 seed, and went on to defeat 18-year-old Matheus Stuermer Brandt, representing Brazil, in the gold medal bout.
WATCH: Esgrima - Finales - Juegos Panamericanos Junior ASU 2025
“It really means a lot,” Schembri said by phone after the event. “I’m very grateful to my parents, my coaches, and everyone who’s helped me along this journey, and I’m very appreciative for my family back home cheering for me.”
Schembri said he had an “excellent” day because he performed well, winning all his matches leading up to the gold medal competition for épée, one of three fencing disciplines along with foil and sabre.
“I just felt very smooth,” he said. “I was sticking to the plan with my coach every single bout. So, I’m very proud of the discipline and the resilience I showed on the strip today, and I think that ultimately led me to win gold today. So, I’m very happy.”
In fencing, the strip — or piste — is the narrow playing area where fencers compete. And for Schembri, a rising star in international fencing, that narrow platform has become a world stage.
Schembri, who started fencing 11 years ago, has been on a steady rise in the sport. Earlier this year, he captured double gold in both foil and épée at the Central American and Caribbean Fencing Championships in Guatemala, and he secured a gold medal at the Pan American Cadets and Juniors Fencing Championships in Paraguay. He also represented the Virgin Islands at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing 35th in the men’s foil event at just 17 — an experience he said taught him important lessons he uses in his matches.
After completing virtual high school classes that allowed him to train and travel for competitions, Schembri is preparing to leave his native Florida to attend college in Indiana at the University of Notre Dame, where he’ll study finance and compete for the Fighting Irish fencing team in both foil and épée.
Although Schembri was born and raised in Florida, his mother, Carolynn McCord, was born on St. Croix, where his extended family still resides. He said he has visited St. Croix every year since 2022 to promote fencing.
“I go every summer to demonstrate the sport of fencing to try to pass down fencing to the younger generation to help develop fencing in the VI,” he said.
His stepfather, Marvin McCord, and coach, Oleg Stetsiv, have also played central roles in his development, Schembri said. He said his stepfather drives him to practice and supports him, while his coach has helped him take fencing to another level this season.
After winning a gold medal and making history for the Virgin Islands, Schembri said he hopes his victory is just the beginning as he continues to develop his fencing skills.
“I just want to thank everyone for the support; it really means a lot and really drives me to keep competing and try to go for these medals,” he said. “I’m very appreciative for the support, and hopefully there’s many more of these gold medals to come.”
In addition to his family on St. Croix and in Florida, Schembri’s support also comes from the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee, which traveled to Paraguay with a delegation of athletes representing the Virgin Islands, or team ISV, the three-letter Olympics code for the Virgin Islands in French — Iles Vierges.
Former Senator Athneil “Bobby” Thomas, chef de mission (French for head of mission) for the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee, is the person appointed to lead and represent the Virgin Islands contingent. He praised Schembri’s performance and called the gold medal win a proud moment for the territory.
“It’s downright amazing that Kruz just kept his streak going,” Thomas said, adding that he was “over the moon.” “He’s a young man that is highly disciplined. Kruz deserved this victory for sure. He puts in the work. He deserves every victory that comes his way.”
Thomas is leading a nine-athlete delegation at the Junior Pan Am Games. In addition to Schembri, team ISV includes track athletes Michelle Smith and Brandon Pemberton, triathlete Michael Dizon-Bumann, tennis player Yared Alfred, and four swimmers — Riley Miller, Allison “Lu” Joseph, Kaden Gleason, and Maximillian Wilson.
“They all put in amazing work,” Thomas said about the athletes. “They are all putting in amazing, tremendous hours to be able to represent team ISV, or team Virgin Islands. So, it’s a great feeling to see these young athletes doing something constructive, positive and on such a fantastic stage like this.”
The Junior Pan American Games, which is held every four years, started Saturday in Paraguay and will continue through August 23, featuring athletes from 41 countries competing in 28 sports. This year marks only the second Junior Pan American Games, following the first competition held in 2021 in Peru.
Supporters can follow team ISV’s progress in Paraguay online at panamsports.org and asu2025.org.py.
