Nov. 15, 2010

Contact: Dan Carr

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Cleveland State's fencing team opened its 2010-11 season with a varsity dual meet on Nov. 6 and a club meet on Nov. 7. The men went 5-7 over the weekend while women finished 1-11.

"Overall the weekend was very successful," head coach Andy Tulleners said. "With over half the team being freshmen it was an opportunity to see what we needed to work on as well as to see what we have in place."

The men opened the weekend with a 24-3 varsity victory over Cal Tech. The Vikings then picked up four win in club fencing, defeating Bowling Green (20-7), Xavier (23-4), Illinois (19-8) and Iowa (14-13).

Senior John Marshall led the way for the Vikings, finishing the weekend with a 27-3 overall record, including going 9-3 against varsity competition. Freshman Tom Bienvenu finished 5-4 against varsity opponents and 28-5 overall.

"The men had a very solid start to the season," Tulleners said. "This is the best start for Cleveland State in the past three years."

The women's lone win came in a 9-4 decision over Illinois. Freshman Alex Dickinson had a very good debut, going 29-5 overall and 8-4 against varsity competition. Junior Stephanie Lee also had a good weekend, finishing 5-7 against varsity opponents and 28-8 overall.

"I thought the women, despite being short on numbers, performed very well," Tulleners said.

CSU will be off until Jan. 15, when the Vikings will host Case Western, Detroit, Michigan, Vassar and Wayne State in their only home meet of the year.