With multiple years of international experience, medals in junior world cups, a German national championship and a bronze medal from the Sydney Olympics, Alex Weber brings a lot to the table for the Penn State fencing team.

In his first season as a collegiate athlete, the actual fencing has not been much of an issue. He dominated his competition, going 20-1 in dual meets, and led the men's team to a perfect 16-0 record and a No. 3 ranking. He is favored to win the sabre individual championship at next week's NCAA tournament.

One of the largest adjustments Weber has had to make is the switch from German culture to American culture.

Captain Stephanie Eim knows exactly what Weber has gone through, as she grew up in Germany as well.

"One of the adjustments is the language barrier. There's a cultural difference, how people approach things likes sports," Eim said.

Weber has made the adjustment well.

"Alex's presence brings confidence to the sabre team," Penn State fencing coach Emmanuil Kaidanov said. "He is a good leader and has excellent teamwork."

Weber started fencing in Germany in 1989 when his older brother wanted to learn how to fence, and brought Alex along. Though his brother eventually tired of the sport, he was hooked.

Weber later found out that his mother had been a world-class fencer in Argentina. In 1992, he attended the Olympic Games in Barcelona, and realized that he wanted to be an Olympic athlete. With his mother's support, he made an important decision in 1993 to attend a sports boarding school to focus heavily on his fencing.

In 2000, Weber's Olympic dream came true when he made the German sabre team as an alternate. Because he was becoming such a strong fencer, the coach immediately inserted Weber into the competition, and he helped Germany win a team bronze medal.

Weber said, "After the Olympics, I wanted a new experience, and I wanted to come to America to start something new."

Penn State was not his only option as he was heavily recruited by defending national champions St. John's, as well as Columbia, Ohio State and Notre Dame.

"Some people say that there is nothing to do here at Penn State, but really, it offers an atmosphere where I can heavily focus on fencing and my studies," Weber said. "Penn State has good academics, it has a good business school."

Weber has brought a lot to the fencing team.

"Number one, he's brought his skill," Eim said. "He's also brought confidence and his calmness."

Weber said that he has never experienced such a team atmosphere like the one he's involved with at Penn State.

"Everybody is motivating each other, everybody cares about the team," he said. "It doesn't matter who is better than who, they motivate me, and I motivate them."

Weber helps out at practice even more than he contributes during competitions.

"He definitely helps on the sabre squad, everyone looks up to him," Eim said. "It doesn't matter their skill level, Alex fences with and helps everybody."

The help of his teammates and coaches has eased Weber's adjustment to life in America. The Penn State fencing team has a very international flavor, with their coaches from Russia and Poland, as well as athletes from Sweden, Thailand, Iran, Poland, Germany, and the United States.

Weber said that his coaches speak with him a lot during practice, and show him how he can improve.

"But really, they're good to speak with about anything, personal issues, family problems, or whatever," he said. "That's what makes a good coach."

Even though he is a student here at Penn State, Weber must continue to focus on his international standings. In order to compete at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Weber has to be ranked as one of the top three sabres in Germany.

Earlier in the season, he took two weeks off to compete in two international events in Europe. At the tournament in Budapest, Hungary, Weber finished third overall, positioning himself as the top sabre in Germany.

Coming up next week is the NCAA championships, where Weber will be among the favorites along with defending champ Ivan Lee from St. John's. Weber will try to become a national champion while helping Penn State win their seventh title in eight years. He expects that the team will perform at its best and win.

As for the individual title, Weber knows that anything can happen.

"If I perform how I have all season, I will win or at least finish in the top three," he said.

But ultimately, it's about the team.

"I am going to cheer for the others, and help them win their bouts," he said.

Eim thinks that Weber has an excellent chance of winning NCAAs.

"He's definitely going to be the one to beat at nationals," she said. "There's nothing like NCAAs in Germany. Here, every touch counts."