Full-time fencer

Ohio State fencer Yelina Kalkina has used 20-hour practice weeks to become a leader and role model

Ohio State sophomore fencer Yelina Kalkina sees nothing wrong with a little hard work and dedication.

She spends 20 hours a week fine-tuning the form that made her the Buckeyes' first-ever women's fencing national champion in 1997. She also shows promise in the classroom, being named a scholar-athlete at Ohio State.

Kalkina brought her industrious spirit to Notre Dame this weekend, where she and her Buckeye teammates were defeated 24-8 by Penn State. Although her team was beaten, the success Kalkina has earned in her year and a half at Ohio State cannot be questioned.

Last season, the sophomore from Almaty, Kazakhstan, went 69-0 in the regular season en route to a 20-3 record in the NCAAs and a national championship in foil. Heading into this past weekend, Kalkina had not disappointed this season, amassing 39 victories without a loss.

Although her record would be enough to thrill any coach, Ohio State assistant coach Michael Shearer has been equally delighted with another role Kalkina has adopted -- being a team leader.

"Yelina has no problem working with anyone. She's a wonderful leader," Shearer said. "She's the complete package as far as being a student-athlete role model. Any team that had eight of her could easily be national champions."

Kalkina has no problem accepting the role of teacher. In fact, she sees it more like a responsibility than a favor to her teammates.

"I like to do it -- and I have to do it," she said. "It's beneficial for them, and it motivates me. We're a team. We're supposed to help each other out."

Being a leader in the classroom and on the fencing strip isn't such a big deal to Kalkina. It's just a matter of being persistent and tenacious. And, of course, spending her time wisely.

"I just try to manage my time," Kalkina said. "I love fencing, and I believe hard work will pay off."

For Kalkina, the hard work has paid for itself many times over. But Kalkina insists her road to a national championship was not easy.

"During the NCAAs, I was not thinking, 'I want to win,' " Kalkina admitted. "I just fenced every bout. Every bout was one more step to the top. When I won, I was very happy. It was a great sensation."

Kalkina, who joined the Ohio State squad late last season, insists she feels better about her fencing right now than she did at any time in last year.

"I think I'm much stronger, physically and mentally, this year," Kalkina said. "I came over right in the middle of the season (last year). I had to figure out everything so fast. I was busy 24 hours a day. Now, I'm much more organized."

All because of hard work and dedication.