March 22, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State fencers are just days away from what they have been working towards all season, the chance to earn a third consecutive National Championship. The men's and women's teams will send eleven fencers into action this weekend.
The Championship is hosted by the Ohio State Buckeyes this season. It begins Thursday, March 24 and concludes on Sunday, March 27. It will be held at the French Field House and St. John Arena.
The Nittany Lions will head into the NCAA Championships ranked fourth in the final USFCA College Fencing Coaches' Poll. The women's team has moved up one spot after being ranked fifth in the last poll.
Sophomore Margherita Guzzi-Vincenti is looking to reclaim the National Title she first won in 2010. The Milano, Italy native finished the regular season with a phenomenal 60-6 record.
Women's team captain and three-time All-American Doris Willette ended her regular season run 28-6. Men's captain Aleksander Ochocki finished his regular season 18-14. Both are looking to regain the National Titles they won in 2009, in their respective weapons.
This weekend fencers will compete in a round-robin format of five-touch bouts. The top-four fencers fence semifinal 15-touch bouts, with the winners fencing to determine first and second places, and the losers being awarded a tie for third place. For the men, rounds 1-4 will take place on Thursday starting at 10 a.m. Rounds 5-7 as well as the championship rounds will be held Friday starting at 9:30. The women's rounds 1-4 start at 10 a.m. on Saturday with the completion of their events taking place on Sunday starting at 9:30 a.m.
The overall team score place finish in the championships will be based on points earned by each individual. A team will be awarded one point for each victory by its student-athletes for the duration of the championships.
For results of each night of the NCAA Fencing Championship, please visit gopsusports.com after each day of competition.