Oct. 30, 2003

CLEVELAND - The Cleveland State men's and women's fencing teams will travel down Interstate 71 this weekend for their season-opening meet at Ohio State. The Vikings are slated to square off against Bowling Green, Case Western Reserve, Chicago, Michigan State, Northwestern, Purdue and the host Buckeyes on Saturday, Nov. 1. Action will continue on Sunday with individual competition.

In his third season as head coach, and his fifth year with the CSU fencing program, Jim Sager is very optimistic about the upcoming campaign.

"We could be very good this year despite the fact we have only four returning athletes. Our new fencers have outstanding skills and I've been very pleased with how everyone has progressed in their development. I think we're going to have a lot of depth this season."

In addition to meets at perennial powers Northwestern (Nov. 14), Penn State (Nov. 22) and Notre Dame (Jan. 31), the Vikings will host a pair of home events this year. As part of homecoming festivities on Dec. 6, CSU will host cross-town rival Case Western Reserve in the CSU Convocation Center prior to the men's basketball game with Utah Valley State. The Vikings will then welcome Bowling Green, Case Western Reserve, Detroit, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Wayne State for a meet on Feb. 7 in the Convocation Center Annex Gym.

This year's team captains are senior epee specialists Tim Levar (Wickliffe, Ohio/Lake Catholic) and Joy Visnjic-Flaherty (Parma, Ohio/Valley Forge).