When freshman David Willette walked off his plane, he didn't know what to expect.

This would be the first time he competed in an event at the collegiate level -- also marking his first match of many where he would be representing the Penn State men's fencing team.

This past weekend, Willette was one of the few fencers who flew to Kansas City to compete in a North American Cup competition in hopes of eventually qualifying for the Junior National Championship team, which is selected in February after the Junior Olympics.

The freshman, whose sister is women's foil captain Doris Willette, put on a fine performance in his debut for the Nittany Lions. Willette captured second place in the men's foil tournament as his new coaches watched. He won all of his bouts before losing his final match to Notre Dame's Gerek Meinhardt.

"I was satisfied with my results," Willette said after he arrived back to campus. "I kept focus really well and did my job."

Getting the job done is something Willette is going to be counted on heavily for this season. Coach Emmanuil Kaidanov expects Willette to be one of the freshmen to step up on this year's team and help defend their national championship.

Willette said he is ready to accept the pressure that comes with being a freshman on a national championship contending team.

"I expect myself and my team to work as hard as we can to win another national championship," Willette said. "It will be as hard if not harder this year to win."

Transferring his game to the collegiate level may give Willette some problems mentally. Naturally, he is used to representing himself at competitions and critiquing his individual performance. Now, every time Willette makes a mistake in a match, it will not only affect him, but also his teammates.

Willette, who is originally from California, decided to follow his sister Doris to Penn State. Doris is a two-time national champion in the foil.

"It makes it a little easier with her being there," the younger Willette said. "She has been there ever since I started fencing, and we always go out and support each other."

The foil team should be a strongpoint for Kaidanov this season. Willette will join an already deep squad that features sophomore All-American Miles Chamley-Watson, who went 24-2 last season.

Last season, Chamley-Watson and Aleksander Ochocki proved freshmen could have a huge impact in their first season. Both Ochocki and Chamley-Watson were All-Americans and vital parts on the national champion team.

Willette is ready to follow their footsteps.

"It definitely shows you that if you want it, it is yours for the taking," he said.