University Park, Pa. — The first USFCA College Fencing Coaches’ Poll has been released and it is ranking the Penn State women’s and men’s teams at second and fourth, respectively. Two more polls will be released this season with the final one coming right after NCAA Regionals.
Fresh from the release of this poll, the Nittany Lions will head to Queens, New York this weekend, Sun. Jan. 24, to take part in a competition being held by St. John’s University. They will match up against Columbia, Harvard, Notre Dame and Ohio State. These four schools, as well as St. John’s, joined Penn State on the USFCA poll, ensuring this weekend will be a competition between the most elite collegiate fencers.
Last weekend at the Olympic Trials, Penn State’s men’s team had a phenomenal showing. Sophomore David Willette took first in the men’s foil while Adrian Bak pitted his way to third in the men’s saber.
Penn State is on a quest for a third consecutive national title this season. That would give the schools fencing program their 13th in its history.