Underclassmen on the Penn State fencing team will get an opportunity to star this weekend as the fencers travel to Columbus, Ohio, to participate in the Junior Olympics.

The Junior Olympics is an under-20 open event that features some of the best teenage fencing in the country. So the older Lions, such as captains Daniel Landgren and Stephanie Eim, won't be making the trip.

But head coach Emmanuil Kaidanov and assistant coach Wes Glon will be accompanying the team to Columbus. It's an important opportunity to focus their attention on the younger fencers as well as begin the recruiting process.

"For us, it's important to help our kids and see what's going on in the fencing world," Kaidanov said. He also said that because most of the competitors at the tournament are still in High School or younger, it's a big opportunity for Penn State to attract potential recruits.

At nearly all the dual meets that the fencers participate in, the coaches have to focus their attention on the starters, who are mostly upperclassmen. So this weekend will be the younger fencer's chance.

"It'll be nice to have (the coaches) focus their attention on the younger guys," sophomore sabre Meredith Steyer said.

Freshman Ian Schlaepfer, who has already made a big impact for the fencers this season, has been attending this event since 1997. This will be his last opportunity to participate, because he will turn 20 next year.

"I took top eight last year, and this year I hope to do even better," he said.

Schlaepfer also said that the competition is always very high. Some athletes have already qualified for the event by doing well in NAC open events, and some have to qualify when they get there.

Freshman foilist Jake Clark is eager to see how he will perform at this year's Olympics.

"I've had better training since I came to Penn State," he said. "I'm curious to see how I'll end up now."

Nittany Lions Meredith Chin, Heather Brosnan, Elizabeth Hammel and Joe Brown will also be traveling to Columbus with the fencers.

The Junior Olympics is a four-day event, but the fencers won't start competing until Friday.