Fencers Esteva, Lu lead freshman charge

Athletic teams usually turn to older members of the team for leadership. They turn to the experience of seniors or juniors to show them the way.

These three freshmen had no way of knowing what an integral part they would play in this year's Nittany and Lady Lion teams before the season.

"First of all, they are all members of the starting team," Penn State coach Emmanuil Kaidanov said. "They have become leaders in their weapons. Their role has been big for us."

Carla Esteva has been the leader of the women's foil team all year. She has posted a 55-3 record and has been an example of consistency.

She grew up in Mexico City and began fencing when she was 11 years old. In 1993 she became a member of the Mexican junior national team and then the senior team in 1995. Even with these impressive credentials there were some questions in Esteva's mind as to what her place on the team would be.

"They had a very strong team last year," she said. "I really didn't know it would be like this. I definitely thought I could start, but I didn't know who was going to be here."

Gang Lu is another fencer new to this country and Penn State. The freshman foilsman grew up in China and moved to Hackensack, N.J., in late 1995. He quickly has made an impact for the Nittany Lions, losing only three bouts this year -- one to the No. 1 foil fencer in the country -- while winning 40.

Lu, ranked No. 6 in the country and a favorite to do well at the NCAA tournament, was one of the main reasons the men's foil team went undefeated this season.

For Lu, the selection of where he would fence in college was a simple one.

"I heard it was a good school, and they had a good fencing program," he said. "Everything was good. They offered me a scholarship, and the coach is wonderful."

Lu has had trouble adjusting to the five-touch bouts in dual-meet competition as compared to the 15-touch bouts of international competition. As of late, though, Lu has been getting used to the five-touch bouts.

The NCAA tournament consists of five-touch bouts in the preliminary rounds and 15-touch in the semifinals and finals, so if Lu can make it through the first few rounds, he has a good chance of winning it all.

The final member of Penn State's three musketeers is Alexandra Korfanty. She has struggled at times this year but has come through when the women's epee has needed her. The Portland, Ore., native won her second consecutive Junior Olympic epee championship earlier this month and has provided a spark on the epee team with a 53-12 record.

The three have not only impressed their teammates on the strip but off it as well. They always have a smile on their faces and an encouraging word for their teammates.

"They get along well with everyone," Lady Lion Claire Jackson said. "They are fun to hang out with and to go out with."

The future, at least the next three years of Penn State fencing, looks to be secure with these three young Lions leading the way.