The Penn State fencing team turned in another solid performance this past weekend at the NAC Open in Columbus, Ohio.

Jessica Burke turned in the best performance individually for the Nittany Lions, posting a first-place finish in the women's epee. With that finish, the senior also made a large jump in the national rankings moving from the No. 15 ranking up to No. 4 with her performance.

All-America junior captain Alex Weber posted the best performance for the men, placing second in the saber. In the epee, sophomore teammate Richard Hoopes lost in the direct elimination round.

Penn State fencing coach Emmanuil Kaidanov was generally satisfied with the team's performance this weekend.

"Some results are outstanding and some could be better," he said.

In the saber, junior Amir Rahimi finished ninth, falling in the final while freshman Marten Zagunis scored a 27th place finish.

Nittany Lion freshman Chris Miller finished in the top 16 in the foil competition and junior teammate Chris Dickson was defeated in the second round.

Sophomore Meredith Chin also made a strong showing for the women falling just short of a top 32 finish, losing in the direct elimination rounds.

Senior Austin O'Neill and juniors Meredith Steyer and Heather Brosnan each lost in the second round of the saber competition.

Now the Lions will take some time off before returning to competition.

Kaidanov said the fencers will have the winter break off after several road trips to start the season.

"We are ready for that," he said, "and they deserve it."

While the fencers will not be together practicing as a team, they are not expected to lie idle during the break.

"We're going to let [the fencers] go out, have fun and fence in their local clubs," Kaidanov said.

When school comes back to session the Lions will have only a few days to prepare as they return to action at the NAC Open/Junior in San Diego, Calif., on Jan. 17 through Jan. 20.