Nittany Lion fencers plan to keep the rust off their sabers, epees and foils as they enter an open tournament this Saturday morning in the White Building.

Action starts at 8 a.m.

Nearly all fencers will compete against foes from the Mid-Atlantic region, including Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.

Lavinia Lindsay is a question mark, but it doesn't mean she won't grit her teeth and compete.

"Lavinia still has an ankle that's preventing her from practicing," Penn State fencing coach Emmanuil Kaidanov said.

Kaidanov characterized the open as a good scrimmage for his fencers.

It provides competition between the long lay-off from dual bouts between Jan. 27 and Feb. 24. It also gives fencers the chance to compete after the cancellation of a meet last weekend at Brandeis University.

For those fencers under the age of twenty, this tournament helps provide a warm-up for next weekend - the Junior Olympics.

"I think (this weekend) will be especially great for the under-20 fencers who plan on going to the Junior Olympics next weekend," saber fencer Austin O'Neill said.

Some of the eligible Nittany Lions include epee fencer Kristina Viviani and saber fencers Heather Brosnan and Meredith Steyer on the women's side. On the men's side, the list includes foil fencers Non Panchan and Daniel Bhutta.

Most important, the Lions want to keep the momentum going. Despite an early loss by both the men's and women's teams, Penn State is still considered the team to beat at the NCAA playoffs come March.

"Even though this tournament is a smaller one and is not held in a team format, it sure is beneficial to many of us on the team," epee fencer Stephanie Eim said.

The tournament consists of preliminary five-touch bouts. It makes someone like Eim, stay on her toes. One can't fall behind. You can't afford to.

At this point in the season, all eyes are on the NCAA tournament.

"Qualifying now is extremely important," Kaidanov said.

This weekend provides the chance for fencers to try new tactical strategies. Finding new insight on what will work to win bouts, it is necessary to qualify the maximum number of competitors at each weapon. For the record, it's two per weapon for a grand total of 12 fencers combined for the men's and women's team.

After making it to NCAA's, the slate is wiped clean.

"This weekend makes sure that we stay on our toes and keep our competition brains active," O'Neill said. "It will keep us warm for the 24th. We don't want to lose any momentum."

Kaidanov would be pleased with 10-15 bouts per competitor. However, the wish is for quality and not quantity.

"Hard bouts are the best," Kaidanov said. "It's the intensity."