Move over Tiger Woods. Say good-bye to all of those Nike ads that show youthful golfers slinging around the phrase, "I am Tiger Woods."

Penn State fencing has its own version in junior epee fencer Stephanie Eim.

"I used to joke with her about the fact that her last name 'Eim' is astonishingly similar to 'I am,' " junior saber fencer Austin O'Neill said. "I am quite sure that there is no question in her opponent's mind that Steph's every move screams this exact phrase, 'I am.' This is why she is one of the best fencers in the country."

However, the road to Tiger Woods comparisons hasn't been all that easy.

Eim won a US National title in 2000 and a World Cup five years ago in addition to helping lead the Nittany Lions to two team National Championships in as many seasons. Yet, the spotlight pointed in other directions.

Even though Eim doesn't hold the title "team captain," she definitely shows those qualities.

"Positive attitude," said senior epee fencer Brendan Baby. "Generally, she's in there to work, but she has fun doing it. And, she's good. You really have to work hard while fencing her."

"You might have to get out your list," sophomore epee fencer Jessie Burke said. "She's an excellent leader and representative of our views as a team. She's an awesome teammate. She's always so positive."

Eim was born in Washington state, but soon moved to Germany. She learned the sport and all its intricacies while studying with the German National Team.

Her tireless work ethic propelled her to the World Cup final five years ago, where she would face an American¾ underdog Jessie Burke.

"I was ahead 14-10," Eim said. "Then, it was 14-11, 14-12, 14-13, 14-14."

Time ran out with a tie. Eim composed herself, fought off the American and won the World Cup in Frascati, Italy. Little did she know that the two would be teammates and roommates at Penn State University in 2001.

How did Eim make her way to Penn State? It's easier than one might think.

"I always wanted to go to the states just once," Eim said. "I decided that academics was more important than fencing. I talked to Charlotte (Walker). I talked to coach (Kaidanov) and liked him on a personal level."

Upon arrival, Eim realized the system in place in the United States was quite dissimilar to the one in Germany.

"In Germany, the system is very centralized," she said. "Here it's much different."

Eim didn't find herself in the lion's den anymore. Well, maybe Happy Valley was a different type of Lions' den. Eim couldn't search and destroy her opponents. Penn State had won four straight NCAA titles. She was now the hunted.

"Germany is very rugged and aggressive," Eim said. "With coach (Kaidanov) I learned to use more finesse and tactics. I've become smarter."

Even though she has won and finished second many times on the individual level, she still has her sights set on the seventh consecutive NCAA team title.

"My very first one, I didn't know what was going on," Eim said. "We won so big and I said, 'That's it.' Last year, it was much closer.

"All the other school's are sick of it. They're highly motivated. We have to redefine why we want to win. If we win this year, it would be the most significant."