Nov. 17, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Nittany Lion fencers will host the 40th annual Garret Open this weekend, Nov. 19-20. The two-day event will take place in the White Building and action will begin at 8 a.m. both days. This is the first major tournament for the men and women this season.
The event will bring together 13 schools from all over the United States giving the Nittany Lions the chance to compete against some of the countries most elite fencers.
The 2011-2012 team is led by captains Aleksander Ochocki and Margherita Guzzi-Vincenti. Both began their collegiate careers with individual national titles, Ochocki in 2009 and Guzzi-Vincenti in 2010. Since then each has earned All-American honors every year they have competed with the Nittany Lions.
Penn State is coming of off an outstanding 2010-11 season, taking second in the NCAA Championship Tournament last March. The Nittany Lions went into the tournament as reigning champions but were at a disadvantage having only qualified 11, out of a possible 12, fencers. This season they are looking to clinch Penn State its 13th National Championship Fencing Title.
Results for this weekend's competition will be posted both Saturday and Sunday upon the completion of the duels.