Nov. 16, 2003

EVANSTON, Ill. - After a two-week layoff, the Cleveland State fencing team gave a strong showing at Northwestern over the weekend. The men posted a 3-3 record, while the women finished with a 2-6 mark.

The men defeated Wayne State, Lawrence and Detroit and were upended by Michigan State, North Carolina and Johns Hopkins. On the women's side, the Vikings topped Wayne State and Lawrence and dropped decisions to Fairleigh Dickenson, Michigan, Michigan State, Detroit, Temple and North Carolina.

Individually on the men's side, freshman Mike Merker (Neshanic Station, N.J./Somerville) went 19-4 on the weekend in foil and now stands at 36-9 on the season, while senior Tim Levar (Wickliffe, Ohio/Lake Catholic) went 20-4 in epee to improve to 35-10 on the year.

Cleveland State is in action again on Nov. 22 when the Vikings take part in the Penn State Open.

Men's Scores: CSU 14, Wayne State 13; CSU 20, Lawrence 7; CSU 15, Detroit 10; CSU 13, Michigan State 14; CSU 6, North Carolina 21; CSU 5, Johns Hopkins 22

Women's Scores: CSU 15, Wayne State 12; CSU 23, Lawrence 4; CSU 13, Fairleigh Dickenson 14; CSU 4, Michigan 23; CSU 8, Michigan State 19; CSU 13, Detroit 14; CSU 3, Temple 24; CSU 5, North Carolina 22