How in the world do you follow up two back-to-back national championships? The Penn State men's and women's fencing squads are the only teams at the University which need to ponder that point, and the answer really depends upon who you ask.

"Do it again!" said senior captain Katie Kowalski with a smile.

Another fencer displayed cautious confidence.

"We should be able to repeat and gain the title again," sophomore foil fencer Anthony DuBose said. "But it would be very easy not to, if we were overconfident."

Then again, there is the powerful, Russian-accented voice of reason from Coach Emmanuil Kaidanov.

"It is theoretically impossible to win three championships in a row," he said. "It would be just obnoxious to win three in a row."

Nevertheless, the team appears to be in excellent position to defend the title. Though All-Americans Janet Rossman, Ed Mufel and David Cox have been lost to graduation, the solid core of fencers responsible for much of last year's success has returned. In addition, a promising crop of freshmen stands ready to temper the graduation losses.

More than anything, Kaidanov lauds his team as one of seasoned strength and depth. Still, he discusses the success of this year's team within certain perspectives.

"It's always tough to talk about success after winning two NCAA championships in a row," he said. "But I would consider success relative to what we have right now, not last year."

And what does Kaidanov have right now?

On the women's side, 1991 All-Americans sophomore Olga Chernyak and senior Suzanne Paxton (50-3 and 39-6, respectively, in 1990-91 dual meet competition) will again be contributing, as will 1990 All-American Kowalski (40-6). Also back is promising sophomore Jennifer Prifrel (20-6) and redshirt senior Lisa Posthumus (49-8 in 1989-90), who is returning from last year's medical redshirt.

The men's sabre team welcomes back All-American and 1991 national champion sophomore Vitali Nazlimov (36-2), who will be joined by fellow All-American sophomore Thomas Strzalkowski (37-2). Junior Ali Rezazadeh switches back to his weapon of choice this year, after fencing epee last year to accomodate last year's talent-packed sabre squad. As a freshman, he compiled an impressive 41-7 mark in sabre.

Senior captain Stephen Flores (38-10) and DuBose (36-11) will help anchor what DuBose feels is a very solid foil squad. Also, after a three-year absence, 1988 All-American sophomore Murat Yorukoglu (30-11 in 1987-88) rejoins the squad. Last year's surprising young heroes of the NCAA Tournament were the epee team, which will bring back sophomore All-Americans Benjamin Millett (35-13) and Richard Clark (13-11). The team is also hoping for big contributions from newer members of the squad.

"We still need a lot of help with epee," DuBose said.

Speaking of help, Kaidanov sees plenty of raw potential in his freshmen additions. Anita Howson will join the Lady Lions, as Dominik Kulakowski, Andy Gearhart, Chad Murawczyk and Erik Gaston work for positions with the men's team.

Kaidanov expects early dividends from Kulakowski who is currently ranked second in the nation as a junior, and Gearhart, who has already notched a first place finish at this year's Temple Open. In addition, he welcomes Gaston's lanky presence on the otherwise diminutive epee squad.

"With all the epee team being under 5-10, under 5-8 I might say, he is like a tower at 6-4"

In addition to seeing stellar statistics, when looking at the teams' rosters, one sees a group of people from all over the United States: California, Florida, Texas, Colorado Georgia. Kulakowski, a State College native, is the only Pennsylvanian on either team. Yet this group, assembled from far-flung origins, is meshed into a tight bond of personal friendship at Penn State. Apart from the fencing strip, members spend much of their free time with each other. This includes parties, movie marathons, sporting events or just hanging out.

Freshmen are usually the immediate beneficiaries of this policy of togetherness.

"I know it sounds kind of silly, but we try to include them in the family," Kowalski said. "We usually try to tell them, 'Look, we are here for you.' The spirit really is team; it's not just a bunch of us together, it's a family.

During his time as a team manager, Lance Ginsburg also has observed the team's familiarity.

"They're very close," he said. "Whether it means giving up your best weapon if someone needs it five minutes before you're going to fence, or calling a team meeting just to work out a personal problem between two fencers, they'll sacrifice everything."

Ginsburg also gives credit to the Eastern European mores instilled in the team by Kaidanov and Assistant Coach Wes Glon.

"They're really big on morals," he said. "It takes the freshmen a while to adjust to it, but it makes it better when they do."

Kaidanov, known for being a stickler for academic as well as competitive excellence, said there are lessons to be taught which are not necesssarily limited to fencing.

"I try to teach them to be decent human beings," he said. "And to understand priorities in their lives. And most importantly, how to deal with the problems and solve the problems over a short period of time."

Kaidanov, a silver medal winner in the 1958 and 1959 USSR championships, served as a coach in the Soviet Union prior to his immigration in 1979 and has also coached U.S. teams at the Pan Am Games, Olympic Festivals and world Championships. He was voted the 1990 and 1991 Men's Coach of the Year.