The Penn State fencing team has once again proved that it not only has elite status in the college level, but on an international level as well.

Several members of the team competed on Friday's Olympic and North American Cup trials in Houston. Eventually these fencers hope to make their respective countries' teams for the two prestigious events. The event allowed fencers to qualify for both the junior and regular Olympic teams, if they were eligible.

On the men's side, junior Ian Farr placed 22nd in the saber division. There were 102 fencers in the saber weapon class, prompting Penn State fencing coach Emmanuil Kaidanov to be pleased with Farr's finish. Farr is vying for a spot on just the regular Olympic team and not the junior team, the only Penn State fencer to be doing so.

Also for the men, sophomore Jeff Chang competed in the foil division. Chang did not finish as well as he hoped, and Kaidanov was disappointed with that, but was not that upset over it considering there were 183 fencers in his division. If Chang were to make an Olympic Team he would compete for his native Hong Kong.

No men or women competed for the Nittany Lions in the epee weapon class.

On the women's side, freshman Caitlin Thompson had another impressive showing in the saber division, with a third place finish.

"[Thompson] strengthened her chances to make the national team for the Olympics," Kaidanov said.

Thompson has done well in the event previously, taking third place in previous trial rounds in December.

In the women's foil, freshman Allison Glasser finished in the top 24. Kaidanov said that for Glasser, it was a good result. In December, Glasser went all the way to finals but lost in women's foil during the first Olympic Trials.

"Overall, the results were not bad," Kaidanov said. "I am pleased in the direction of the team."

The next event for the team occurs on Jan. 28, when the Lions host a variety of elite teams in the White Building. As for the fencers that competed this weekend, they look forward to return to State College and continue to practice with their team.