State College, Pa., March 13, 2004 - 10 members of the Penn State men's fencing team and 12 members of the Penn State women's fencing team have qualified for the national fencing championship at Brandeis University March 25-28. Out of the 22 qualifiers, only two will fence in the NCAA championships for each weapon division.

Of the 10 men fencers for Penn State, three have earned regional championships in each of their respective weapons. In men's epee, Adam Wiercioch (Gliwice, Poland) won the regional title while his teammates Alexander Bruscke (North Caldwell, N.J.) and Ryan Wangner (Garden City, N.Y.) came in fifth and eighth respectively with Wangner placing as an alternate. In men's saber, Ian Farr (Portland, Ore.) triumphed in obtaining the regional title while his fellow fencers Marten Zagunis (Beaverton, Ore.), Amir Rahimi (Plano, Texas), and Axel Reblewski (Les Molieres, France) placed third and sixth respectively with Reblewski placing as an alternate. In men's foil, Ian Schlaepfer (Rohnert Park, Cali.) earned the regional title and his teammates Jacob Clark (Waukesha, Wisc.) and Ian Hamilton (New York, N.Y.) placed sixth and seventh respectively.

Of the 12 women fencers for Lady Lions, Katarzyna Trzopek (Warsaw, Poland) was the sole earner of a regional title for women's epee. Her teammates Andrea Wine (Rocky River, Ohio) and Case Szarwark (Nashville, Tenn.) placed second and sixth respectively. In women's saber, freshman Sophia Hiss (Oklahoma City, Okla.) placed fourth. Her fellow fencers Laura Hillstrom (Gaithersburg, Md.) and Heather Brosnan (Portland, Ore.) placed sixth and eighth respectively. In women's foil, Marta Grochal (Poznan, Poland) unfortunately withdrew due to illness. Grochal's teammates, Annekathrin Donath (Touber, Germany) and Meredith Chin (Wynnewood, Pa.) placed second and third respectively.

Coach Emmanuil Kaidnov was highly impressed with the team and its 22 qualifiers. "We fulfilled our maximum and had a wonderful finish in a difficult tournament." Coach Kaidnov said after the tournament.

The Penn State men's and women's fencing teams have won nine national championships and will head on to the NCAA national fencing finals at Brandeis University on March 25 to reclaim their crown once again.