HARRISBURG ¨C The State House of Representatives today honored The Pennsylvania State University men¡¯s and women¡¯s fencing teams on their unprecedented sixth consecutive national title. Rep. Lynn B. Herman (R-77) sponsored and the House adopted by a vote of 195-0 a resolution honoring Coach Emmanuil Kaidanov¡¯s charges.

On March 26 at Palo Alto, Calif., the Penn State fencing team held off rivals Saint John¡¯s, Notre Dame and Stanford, host of the four-day NCAA competition. Penn State finished with a team score of 175 points, edging Notre Dame and St. John's, who were tied for second place with 171 points. Stanford placed fourth with 163 points.

The efforts of Penn State¡¯s women¡¯s team provided the Lions with a 23-point lead over St. John¡¯s heading into the weekend¡¯s events. Sophomore Daniel Landgren won Penn State¡¯s second individual title of the NCAA finals. Junior Aaron Stuewe¡¯s efforts earned him All-American status.

Jessica Burke highlighted the Lady Lions¡¯ showing by winning the individual epee championship. Senior women¡¯s captain Carla Esteva and junior Charlotte Walker both earned All-American honors for their efforts. The Penn State fencing team has won eight of 11 NCAA Fencing Championships since 1990, the year the NCAA began combining men's and women's scores. The Lions won the title in 1990 and 1991, and have won every championship since 1995. "The Penn State campus community and State College are proud of the fencing squad¡¯s remarkable achievement," Herman said. "They are genuine student-athletes."

The resolution is cosponsored by Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-171).