March 15, 2008
COLUMBUS, Ohio -
The Penn State men's fencing team began their first of two days of competition at the NCAA Fencing Championships hosted by Ohio State. The #1 nationally ranked men's team climbed up the ladder at the championships, passing St. Johns to sit in fourth place.
In the first four rounds of action today, the men's faired out well. In men's epee competition, senior Arthur Urman (Maalot, Israel) currently sits in third place with 10 victories. Urman is tied with leader Graham Wicas (Princeton) in victories, but is seven back in the touch ratio. If Urman finishes in the top four of round robin play tomorrow, he will be competing for his first ever national championship. He is looking to improve his sixth place finish from last year. Junior James Moody (Denver, Colo.) also placed 17th with six victories in the division.
Penn State faired well in the saber division. Senior Franz Boghicev (Dormagen, Germany) snatched a fourth place finish in the division. Boghicev finished with 11 victories, leading fellow teammate and sophomore Daniel Bak (Franklin Lakes, N.J.) by one victory. Bak sits right behind Boghicev in fifth place. Boghicev, who came into season as a national title contender, is looking to capture his first ever national championship. As for Bak, this year marks his first national championship appearance.
In foil competition, Penn State had two top ten finishers. Sophomore Nick Chinman (Boulder, Colo.) sits in fourth place, posting 11 victories. Chinman is looking to approve upon his fifth place finish from last year. Also, freshman standout Sam Perkins (Petaluma, Calif.) sits in tenth place, with seven victories.
Sunday will be the conclusion of the championships. Rounds 5-8 of men's round robin play will take place, followed by the final four. In addition, the national champion team will be crowned.
Penn State is looking to win their 11th championship, and its second consecutive crown after claiming last season's title. The championships will be taped, and highlights from the championship can be seen on Saturday May 3, at 1 p.m. on CBS.
Team Standings through 3 rounds
1. Ohio State 149
2. Notre Dame 147
3. Columbia/Barnard 128
4. Penn State 123
5. St. John's 118
6. Harvard 85
7. Pennsylvania 74
8. Wayne State 56
9. Stanford 52
10. Northwestern 45
