Lee Keifer’s Three Olympic Gold Medals.

PARIS (AP) - Lee Kiefer became the first American fencer to win three Olympic gold medals Thursday, as the United States won its first team fencing gold in women's foil at the Paris Olympics.

The team of two-time individual gold medalist Kiefer, silver medalist Lauren Scruggs, Jacqueline Dubrovich and Maia Weintraub beat Italy 45-39 in the final.

Scruggs faced a late comeback from Italy's Arianna Errigo, who cut an eight-point U.S. lead to three, but the 21-year-old took the next three points to close out the victory and celebrated with a screaming cheer.

Kiefer is part of a decorated Olympic pair.

Kiefer's husband, Gerek Meinhardt, a two-time Olympic bronze medalist in men's foil, will compete in two events in Paris. Kiefer and Meinhardt are medical students at the University of Kentucky who have taken a break from their studies to pursue their Olympic dreams.

Asked about her future, Kiefer listed the events she and Meinhardt have pending in Paris. "That's all we think about for now," she said.

Kiefer grew up in Kentucky and developed world-class skills in a state somewhat better known for basketball than fencing. She is a four-time Olympian and has a decision to make: continue fencing or return to medical school after a long hiatus to pursue her Olympic dreams? If Kiefer retires, Scruggs could be the star in waiting.

He trained at the Peter Westbrook Foundation, famous for introducing the sport to New York's children of color.

Scruggs, who is black, excelled internationally on the junior circuit. She was good enough to make the Harvard team in 2021. Good enough to win an NCAA championship in foil last year. And it ended in an All-American hug, with Kiefer and Scruggs embracing after the historic bout.