M. Fencing heads to State College, Pa.

With snow on the horizon, the Penn men's fencing team is bundling up and heading across the mountains to Penn State for its only preseason meet before a climactic battle with Princeton to start the season off. This weekend's meet is not team-orientated; individuals will be playing one another for personal glory. This meet is unique in that it falls within the preseason and will not count on the team's, or individual's, season record. This weekend, along with the sparring matches in practice, will settle Penn's starting lineup for the big Princeton meet in three weeks. Penn coach Dave Micahnik is using this meet to give some of his key freshmen a chance at intercollegiate play. "We did not specifically set out to take freshmen, but certainly a certain number will come," Micahnik said. "It is to give them some action so that they can get some early season development. And to get them into the field of combat." The Quakers are heading out west with 13 men, four foils, five epees and four sabres to battle future competitors from the East Coast, but also others from the Midwest and possibly as far as Canada. At this meet in prior years Penn has met individuals or teams from Rutgers, Princeton, Columbia, St. John's and Yale. This gives the Quakers a good chance to scope the competition, both old names, and new recruits. "This is a dry run on tournament competition. It is almost a dress rehearsal for our road meets," Micahnik said. The men are going in with little pressure. This meet to them is truly a warm up. They are going for experience and some variety in competition.