For Penn State senior Zach Suico, success doesn’t come from perfection; it comes from balance.

As a member of Penn State’s men’s fencing team and full-time nursing student, Suico’s days are anything but typical. During the season, juggling clinicals, lectures, and practice means his schedule often begins before sunrise and doesn’t end until late at night.

On his busiest days, Suico starts his clinical rotations as early as 6 a.m., working through the afternoon before heading into hours of lecture. If time permits, he finishes his day at fencing practice, followed by a night full of homework. 

It’s a schedule that demands discipline, but more importantly, perspective.

“I had a period where I was really burnt out,” said Suico. “I was doing academics, going straight to fencing, working out all the time, and I didn’t have time for myself or other people.”

That experience reshaped his mindset. Instead of striving for perfection, Suico began prioritizing what truly mattered: his goals and happiness. 

“I realized I don’t need to be perfect. If I sacrifice a little bit of my GPA to spend time with my friends or make memories, that’s worth it,” said Suico. 

However, Sucio’s journey with Penn State fencing wasn’t always smooth sailing. 

As a freshman, he struggled to break into the travel lineup, but still felt like he had more to prove. Rather than giving up, he focused on his work ethic by waking up early for workouts or staying late after practice to improve his technique. 

That persistence paid off. By his sophomore season, Suico earned a starting spot and continued to improve enough to compete at regionals multiple times.

In his most recent regional competition, Suico came within one point of advancing to the final round despite suffering an ankle injury mid-competition. 

Looking back, Suico is proud of how much he’s grown as a fencer after all these years. “I’m proud that I didn’t stop,” Suico said. “Freshman me would be really happy with how far I’ve come.”

Serving as the men’s team captain, Suico has grown into his leadership position in a way that reflects growth both on and off the mat. 

Initially hesitant to speak out, especially with his older teammates, Suico adapted his own approach over time that proved successful this past season. 

“You have to be direct. Not in a disrespectful way, but you have to communicate and hold people accountable,” he said.  

His leadership style, blending both empathy and accountability, not only helped him become a two-time captain but also made him a great nurse.

Suico’s passion for nursing has been shaped by hands-on experience, including an internship last summer at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, also known as “CHOP.”

While initially unsure about working with pediatric patients, Suico quickly found himself drawn to the fast-paced environment of the emergency department. In one defining moment, Suico helped care for a young patient who had been resistant to treatment. By approaching her calmly and establishing trust, Suico was successfully able to complete her care. 

“It showed me how much of a difference one person can make and gave me the confidence that I can make a difference for my patients,” Suico said.

It was experiences like this one that ultimately confirmed that Suico was on the right career path.

“I hope that when I’m giving care, people remember that someone was there for them, listening and treating them the way they wanted to be treated,” Suico said. 

The connection between fencing and nursing, he says, is a lot more alike than it might seem. Both require composure under pressure, emotional resilience, and quick decision-making. 

“In fencing, you can be losing, get frustrated, and still have to reset and perform,” Suico said. “That translates directly to nursing. I think that may be why I have a certain patience for nursing now, as I spent all those years learning that skill with my fencing competitions.”

As graduation in May approaches, Suico has begun to prepare for his next chapter. He plans to enter a nurse residency program and eventually move to a big city like Los Angeles or New York, a place where he can grow both professionally and personally.

Beyond his nursing career, Suico hopes to reconnect with his previous creative passions, such as dancing and modeling.

“While my time as a competitive fencer may be coming to an end, the sport will always remain a big part of my life,” he said.

Suico emphasized that, through either coaching or supporting his younger sister, who also fences, he won’t ever step away from the fencing community entirely. 

At the heart of Suico’s story, the main message extends beyond fencing or nursing. 

Suico’s advice for student-athletes navigating similar demanding paths is, “Do what makes you happy. You’re in college to get an education, but also to make memories. Don’t let yourself miss out on that.”

For Suico, success isn’t determined by perfect grades or a flawless fencing performance; it’s about resilience, personal growth, and making the most of every opportunity. It is in that balance that he ultimately found exactly where he belonged.