From the ER to Rio: Local doctor returning to Olympics as US Fencing team captain

Ann Marsh-Senic is a three-time Olympian turned doctor at St. Joe's in Pontiac

Ann Marsh-Senic is a 3-time Olympic foil fencer. These days, she spends most of her time with her kids, and working in the ER. But recently she got a call she couldn't refuse. Now she's heading back to the Olympic games.

That's Ann Marsh-Senic in blue. To her patients in the ER she's "Doctor Senic." To that man in black with the sword, she's his wife. To the US Fencing team, she just might be their ticket to a gold medal at the Olympics in Rio.

"Anything I can do to help them win, I will do," Marsh-Senic said during a recent interview with Local 4.
Marsh-Senic picked up a sword back in 7th grade at the Roeper School. Since then, she's has had a hard time putting it down.

"I really liked it. It was new to me," she said. "I found I could go to competitions right away. It was social, it was exciting."

Michigan is not exactly the mecca for the sport, but Marsh-Senic showed promise, and always worked hard. By 21, she made it to her first Olympics in Barcelona to compete in  women's foil.

"I was just happy to be there," she recalled. "I came in second to last."

Afterward she thought about how to get better. She finished Columbia University early and decided to train in Rochester, NY.

"That was my golden moment because the coach in Rochester, who is the national coach now, was the right coach for me," Marsh-Senic said.

Success indeed. Marsh-Senic climbed to 10th in the world in her event and would finish the games in Atlanta in seventh.

After the Olympics, we went to the White House, then there was a party at Busch Gardens. Two days later she started medical school -- a time-consuming effort.

So she hung up the sword, only,  she missed it too much. So, she went back and qualified for the Sydney games.

"It was great, my world rank wasn't that high, but I beat the five seed and finished in the top 16," Marsh-Senic said. "Team event, we came in fourth."

Marsh-Senic stopped competing internationally in 2003, moved back to Michigan, married her husband Anatolie, and had two kids.

Now the whole family can be found most days here, at Renaissance Fencing Club in Troy, which Anatolie founded.

This wife, mother and doctor thought her Olympic days were over. Until her former coach called her.

He always saw a role for me as captain.

So Marsh-Senic will pick up the sword yet again, not as an athlete, but as team captain in Rio.

"Coaches give them a more of a tactical role, I play more of an emotional role in trying to keep them focused," she explained.

Marsh-Senic is still working in the ER at St. Joe's in Pontiac until she leaves for Rio on Aug. 2. Fencing competition begins on the 6th.

The goal for the team this year, according to Marsh-Senic: Win at least two medals.


About the Author:

Jamie anchors sports coverage on Local 4 News Saturdays at 6 & 11 p.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m., in addition to hosting Sports Final Edition.