Throw the records out the window. All that matters now is qualification for the NCAA tournament at Wisconsin-Parkside.

Penn State fencers head to Madison, N.J., March 10-11 to start the defense of its six-straight national championships.

The Lions must qualify the maximum 12 fencers for NCAAs. Just 11 may not cut it this year. The best Penn State has managed with one fewer than the max was a silver medal in 1992. Since the streak started in 1995 at Notre Dame, the Nittany Lions consistently brought a full team to the national finals.

So, how important is it?

"It is vital," saber fencer Austin O'Neill said. "The margin for mistakes or fluke losses doesn't exist. Our competition is fierce, they are out to kill us."

The region consists of the area south of New York down to the everglades of Florida and west to Pennsylvania.Last year, St. John's only qualified 11 participants.

"That was huge for us," O'Neill said.

The Red Storm came close to upsetting the Lions on that occasion, but fell short by four points.The Lions need just two per event — epee, foil and saber.

However, questions remain. Men's epee looks to easily achieve the duce. Men's saber will fight for it, but should qualify two thanks to the late help of Amir Rahimi. After freshman Non Panchan, men's foil needs a knight in shining armor to materialize. The two candidates, Jon Charles and Omar Bhutta, have the tools. It's just a matter of execution.

"Charles and Bhutta are not seeded high," Lion coach Emmanuil Kaidanov said. "They have to do real well. I think they can. They're the ones on the strip."

Hedge a bet on Charles. He's had some quality wins in previous weeks against good foil competition from nationally ranked Columbia and Penn.

On the women's side, saber will get the pair. The triumverate of Heather Brosnan, Stephanie Tam and O'Neill fight for those two spots. Women's foil is solid as well. Given enough rest from an asthmatic condition, foiler Charlotte Walker will return to her leadership role with zest.

The story is women's epee. Stephanie Eim can pack her bags for Wisconsin now. Defending national champion Jessie Burke has fallen victim to a respiratory infection. Extremely weak, she ponders whether she will have the energy to compete. If Burke can't go, Kristina Viviani or Lauren Wagner have the opportunity to go far.

How do Lion fencers like their chances?

"We've all got to be on," O'Neill said. "If we are all on and in the zone, our chance is really good."