Ari Simmons - Fencing Coach - Air Force Academy Athletics

Ari Simmons

Title:
Volunteer Assistant Coach (Epee)

Ari Simmons is in his second season in 2022-23 with Air Force fencing as a volunteer assistant coach.

Simmons comes to the Academy after a decorated collegiate career at Notre Dame, where he helped lead the Fighting Irish to three national titles in addition to earning multiple All-American honors.

Simmons, a 2021 graduate, was part of the 2017, 2018 and 2021 national championship teams at Notre Dame. He earned All-America honors in men’s epee all four years during his time in South Bend, including first-team honors in 2017 and 2018.
As a senior in 2021, Simmons finished fifth in men’s epee at the NCAA Championships to garner All-America second team honors.

As a junior in 2019, Simmons placed 11^th at NCAA’s to earn third-team All-America honors. In addition, he placed fifth at the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships.

Simmons was part of the 2018 national champion team as a sophomore, placing third at NCAAs. He took fourth at the Midwest Regional Championships. He was also the ACC runner-up in men’s epee.

He was also part of the 2017 national champion team as a freshman, placing third at NCAAs. He was the runner-up at the Midwest Regional Championships. Simmons was the 2017 ACC Men’s Epee Champion, ACC Men’s Epee Fencer of the Year, 2017 ACC Championships Men’s Most Valuable Fencer and 2017 Notre Dame Men’s Epee MVP.

Simmons has medaled at numerous North American Cups and National Championships. He was the individual champion in the epee event at the Cadet World Championships in 2013. In addition, he has been on Cadet, Junior, and Senior USA World Championships teams.