Fencers head to Vassar for regionals

By DARREN STEELE
Collegian Staff Writer

With the regular season behind it, the Penn State fencing team has only one obstacle to break through and it's a big one.

This weekend, the Nittany Lions will travel to The Mid-Atlantic Regionals at Vasser in Hudson Valley, N.Y. The team is geared up for the tournament, but only its individual performances will determine who goes to Brandies for the NCAA Championships March 18-21.

The weekend appears promising for the defending champions. Senior men's individual foil competitor, David Lidow, is feeling better after sitting out last weekend's North American Cup Open.

"The only purpose here is to qualify for nationals," Lidow said. "I definitely think that we will see Donnie (McGill) and Gang (Lu) in the finals."

Lu and McGill are the other two men's individual foil competitors who make up this trio. It has been one of the Lions' most consistent and potent squads all year. McGill has achieved good physical health after suffering from an earlier ankle injury.

They all enter regionals with high rankings -- Lidow is No. 6, Lu No. 12 and McGill No. 22.

"I'm looking to qualify first this year," Lu said. "I think we'll qualify with a maximum number in each event."

Lu has come in second the last two years behind Pennsylvania University standout Cliff Bayer. This year, due to ineligibility, Bayer will not be a factor, leaving the door wide open for Lu.

"He told me that he wouldn't be competing last week when we were in Montreal," Lu said. "I felt bad."

The men's epee squad could be a force as well. Led by senior captain and All-American Tom Peng, it combines youth and experience to give the Lions another respectable squad.

In order to qualify for the NCAA Championships, a fencer must finish in the top eight of his or her event. One of those expected to appear in the top eight is sophomore women's individual foil competitor, Charlotte Walker. The 1998 All-American from Australia is also the defending NCAA women's individual epee champion.

Walker could have her work cut out for her, as she may clash with Notre Dame's All-American Erinn Smart, who enters regionals with a No. 1 ranking.

The women could also make a strong bid with their epee squad.

It could be the final appearance for senior Wendy Hall. The Boulder, Col., native is a two-time All-American (1996 and '97). She will look to reclaim her position as one of the country's elite fencers.

"This weekend means a lot," Lu said. "Everyone has the same common goal. It's not hard to win, it's hard to keep."