There were people with their faces painted, cheers being chanted, and signs for some fans' favorite player covering the White Building this weekend.

But this was no basketball, football, or baseball game.

This was the M. Garret Open, where the Penn State fencing team held its largest competition ever, hosting 20 teams.

Teams such as defending national champions Ohio State, Notre Dame and Princeton came into the most competitive tournament in years.

The Nittany Lions made sure to be a force in its own tournament.

Junior Kataryzna Trzopek won the women's epee competition.

Trzopek led the Lions on Saturday with the only women's first-place finish for the team.

The strongest showing in the women's foil was turned in by junior Annekathrin Donath, who finished in fifth place.

On Sunday, it was the men's turn to compete.

Senior Nonpatat Panchan won the men's foil competition.

Panchan won his final two bouts in decisive fashion, defeating his opponents quickly.

In the men's saber competition, the Lions placed five fencers in the final 16 with only one making the round of eight.

Sophomore Axel Rebiewski defeated defending champion of the saber, teammate Marten Zagunis.

Zagunis competed in front of a group of fans holding signs that said, "We love Marten!"

"It was kind of surprising," Zagunis said.

"My friends came out to watch for the first time and it was just awesome to have that kind of support."

Toward the end of competition on Sunday, the cheering was getting louder for the fencers in their final bouts.

In Panchan's victory, the whole team gathered around with its fans and cheered him on the whole time.

When the dual ended and Panchan was proclaimed the winner, he shared hugs with his teammates and coach Emmanuil Kaidanov.

"We usually don't get a lot of people to come and watch our events," Zagunis said.

"People came to see Penn State do very well."

Zagunis and many others on the team were seen talking and laughing with member of a few other teams, almost as if the fencers were one large family.

They all compete against each other and know each other's strengths and weaknesses.

"It's great here at Penn State, teams feel they have to prove something against us because of our success, which makes it more fun and competitive," Zagunis said.

The Lions have three weeks until their next competition in North Carolina and hope to continue their success.

Teams are coming after them now with their weapons in hand, ready to take on the team in competition.

The Lions hope to be up to the task.