Feb. 28, 2005

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Cleveland State fencing team competed at the Midwest Conference Championships on Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 26-27) at Notre Dame. The men's foil team continued its impressive run, losing to No. 1 Ohio State, 5-1, in the championship match. In individual action, Mike Merker and Omer Deleeuw finished fifth and sixth, respectively in men's foil, while Pam Marvinney was 10th in women's epee.

Merker and Deleeuw garnered second team All-Midwest accolades, while Marvinney was an honorable mention selection.

"It was an amazing weekend, the competition for the trophies were all heavily contested and exciting," CSU head coach Jim Sager pointed out. "The men's foil team had put themselves in a favorable bracket with their success during the regular season. I am especially proud of Pam. She is in just her second year of fencing, but shocked everyone to finish 10th."

Cleveland State is sending nine fencers to compete at the Midwest Regionals, the largest number of bids that the Vikings have received since the qualification process changed four years ago. Action will take place on Sunday, March 6 at Wayne State in Detroit.

"Our strength of schedule really helped us out this year," Sager said. "I expected that the men would qualify, but the number of bids the women received was a pleasant surprise. I am looking forward to seeing what our men's foil team can do against the best teams in the region."

Making the trip to Detroit for the men's team is the 10th-ranked foil team of Deleeuw, Merker and Tom Kotula, as well as Jeff Tormey at epee and Matt Kulma at sabre. The women's team will send epeeists Shaiah Pratt and Marvinney as well as Erin Mick at foil and Shilah Pratt at saber.