State College, Pa. - August 1, 2003 - Former Penn State fencing All-American Stephanie Eim will anchor the United States fencers in the 2003 Pan American Games held in the Dominican Republic starting today.

Eim, the 2003 National Champion and currently ranked #1 in the United States, will anchor the women's epee team, joined by Elizabeth Spillman and pentathlete Kelly Hurley for team competition. Eim was a four-time All-American at Penn State, earning the honor from 1999 through 2002. She left Penn State with a 147-14 overall mark in dual match action as well.

Fencing for the 2003 Pan American Games will begin on Aug. 2, starting with men's foil and women's sabre individual competition, and end on Aug. 7 with men's sabre and women's epee team events.

Opening ceremonies for the Pan Am games will take place today at Santo Domingo's Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Stadium.