[9] A member of the Oregon Fencing Alliance (OFA), she trained with Ed Korfanty Charles Randall and Jacek Huchwajda and has won a record number of world titles for a female sabre fencer in 2006; Cadet (U17), Junior (U20), Junior Team and Senior.

As of July 2007, Ward was the number-one-ranked senior women's sabre fencer in the United States and on the FIE Rankings.

Ward fenced for Duke University under Maître Alex Beguinet while working towards majors in Public Policy and Psychology, as well as a Certificate in Energy and the Environment.

She won her first bout, against Spain's Araceli Navarro, when her opponent was forced to withdraw due to a shoulder injury (Ward was winning 12–7 at the time).

In the semifinals, Ward faced defending Olympic champion Mariel Zagunis, with whom she trained regularly at the Oregon Fencing Alliance.

This assured that American fencers would sweep all three medals prior to the actual final bout, in which Sada Jacobson faced Mariel Zagunis for the gold.