The Penn State men's and women's fencing teams will not be competing against any collegiate teams at this weekend's North American Cup.

Instead they will be facing the world.

Six members of the team will be competing in the NAC in Albuquerque, N.M., today through Sunday.

The NAC tournament is a qualifying tournament that determines who will compete for the United States team in the Junior World Championships and the Junior Olympics. It is only for those in the top-12 point standing in their weapon area, and fencers must be under 20 years of age.

Penn State fencing coach Emmanuil Kaidanov is very pleased with the group of fencers that the team is sending to the NAC. He feels that each of the team members competing this weekend at the NAC has a good chance of qualifying for the U.S. team.

In the women's foil, the Nittany Lions will be represented by freshman Allison Glasser, currently ranked seventh in the event in points.

Freshman Caitlin Thompson will be competing in the women's saber division.

"She has a very strong chance to represent the U.S.," Kaidanov said.

Thompson is currently second in the points for saber and is the defending world champion for that weapon. Recently Thompson won the women's saber at the Penn State Garret Open.

The team has no women competing in the epee division.

Kaidanov is just as confident for the men from his team to compete well this weekend at the NAC.

In the men's epee, freshman James Moody and sophomore Dennis Kraft will be competing. Moody is currently seventh in points, and Kraft placed third in the last Junior Olympics.

Sophomore Jeff Chang, an All-American last year, will be fighting in the men's foil at the NAC. Chang is not a citizen of the United States, so he cannot qualify for the U.S. team. He is allowed to compete, though, because he lives in the United States year-round. Kaidanov said that Chang will likely compete for Hong Kong's junior national team.

The men's team will also be sending sophomore Alexander Vongries to fight in the saber at the NAC. Kaidanov feels that Vongries will perform well this weekend in New Mexico.

"He is growing up quite fast and has shown considerable improvement in fencing," Kaidanov said.