State College, Pa. - October 10, 2005 - Penn State Nittany Lion women's fencer Caitlin Thompson (Portland, Ore.) has been selected to represent the United States as a member of the U.S. Team taking part in the 2005 Senior World Fencing Championships in Leipzig, Germany, this week.

The competition, which takes place all week and wraps up Friday, features the top fencers from around the world. Thompson, who will be a freshman on this year's Penn State women's fencing team, is one of four members of the U.S. Women's Saber squad. Other members include Mariel Zagunis, sister of current Nittany Lion men's captain Marten Zagunis.

Thompson is one of the youngest members of the women's team and is seeded 20th among 82 fencers competing in the saber.