There won't be any grand ceremony, torch carrying or Celine Dion singing at this Olympic competition.

No, this event is the United States fencing's Junior Olympics held in Arlington, Tex.

This year the Penn State fencing team is sending members from the No. 2 and 3 teams in the country.

This event is different than any other fencing competition the Lions have been in all year, as it is every man and woman for themselves.

"In other events you can afford to lose a match because someone else can pick you up," sophomore Ian Farr said. "This event you're playing for yourself."

In the saber the team is sending Farr as well as freshman Alexander Vongries. The two who are usually teammates in every other event this season may have to face each other in competition if they both make it far enough.

This is Vongries' first time in the Junior Olympics and he may have to go through Farr to win.

Farr last year finished fifth in the men's saber as a freshman and turned many heads in the field.

"It's a big deal fencing in this competitions," Farr said.

"You have got to go in with a mindset that you just can't lose."

In last year's Junior Olympics, Sophia Hiss finished in fifth in the women's saber.

Hiss fenced in the saber after only competing a few times with the weapon in her collegiate career.

She will not be competing in this year's Junior Olympics but instead the team is sending sophomore Laura Hillstrom to compete in the saber.

In addition, sophomores Sara Gonzalez and Tamara Najm in the foil will look to continue their successful season.

In the women's epee, sophomore Katherine Cook and freshman Megan Lutheran are making the trip to Arlington. The trip across the country to Texas can wear on a player but Farr does not see it as a problem.

"It's actually a lot easier," Farr said. "I've been fencing for a long time, and I'm used to traveling all the time."

Other men making the trip are sophomore Ian Hamilton and freshman Alex Goldenberg in the foil and freshmen Sean McGrath and Dennis Kraft in the epee.

Though the team will travel together, they are not competing for a combined score or a team victory.

The Junior Olympics will not be a factor in the men's undefeated season, but, in the end, each fencer hopes that his or her teammate does well.

"It's great that you can stop and watch your teammate and cheer them on in their events," Farr said.

"It would be great if we all did well and could cheer for each other."