USA Fencing Preview: 5 Fencers To Watch In London

After the United States fencing team took home seven medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympic games, the Red,White and Blue are hungry for some more precious metal at the 2012 London games as well, chocked full of talented athletes looking to get the job done.

Below are the five fencers to watch in London, care of Yahoo! Sports' Christopher Beheler:

1. Mariel Zagunis, women's sabre: Zagunis has already brought home the gold in Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008). This aggressive southpaw learned a valuable lesson in '04 when she failed to make the U.S. Olympic team. She slipped in as an alternate, and now Zagunis will be vying for her third straight Olympic gold medal.

2. Alexander Massialas, men's foil: Massialas is the youngest U.S. fencer in the 2012 Olympics and one of the most promising. The son of U.S. fencing coach Greg Massialas, Alexander won back-to-back Cadet World Championships (2010,2011) and most recently took home team gold and individual silver at the Pan American Championships. Massialas' athletic gifts and knowledge of the sport should put him in contention for a medal in London.

3.Gerek Meinhardt, men's foil: Gerek Meinhardt is a fencing prodigy that started competing by the age of 11. Among his many accomplishments, Meinhardt became the first U.S. men's foil fencer to medal at the Senior World Championships in 2010. Last year, Gerek took the gold for the Olympic Test Event. He will push Massialas in hopes of taking it in the actual Olympics this year.

4.Kelley Hurley, women's epee: Hurley placed a disappointing 20th during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She did not let that slow her down though, and Hurley managed to take home a gold medalat the 2011 Pan American Championships. Hurley may use memories of 2008 to inspire her 2012 performance, but only time will tell.

5.Miles Chamley-Watson, men's foil: London born U.S. immigrant Chamley-Watson may have additional motivation to do well in 2012. In the 2012 Pan American Championships, Chamley-Watsonreceived team gold but only achieved eighth place in the individuals. Chamley-Watson will have friends and family from both sides of the Atlantic watching on as he presses for glory.

For more on the 201 Olympics, check out SB Nation's dedicated Olympics hub.