Jan. 19, 2011

Contact: Dan Carr

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Senior fencer John Marshall went 11-0 in the Epee tournament to take first place at the USFA 2nd Kirlay Memorial Open, held on Sunday (Jan. 16) at the Woodling Gym.

Marshall also took third in the foil (going 5-0 in his pool and 5-1 in his bracket) and saber competitions (finishing 6-2 overall), earning three medals on the day.

"John is an NCAA hopeful, and he had a great performance on Sunday," head coach Andy Tulleners said. "I think if he continues to fence at the level he's performing now, his chances of qualifying for the NCAAs are pretty good."

CSU assistant coach Brian Jao won the saber tournament after finishing 5-0 in his pool and 3-0 in the elimination round. Freshman Tom Bienvenu took second with four wins.

Over 50 fencers from eight different states competed at the Kiraly Memorial Open, an event Tulleners considered a success.

"We had great participation, and also had some alumni come out," Tulleners said. "I thought that, overall, it went very well."

The fencing team will next be in action on Saturday, Jan. 29, when the Vikings will travel to South Bend, Ind. to compete in the Notre Dame Varsity/Club duals.