March 10, 2005

CLEVELAND - Cleveland State's Jim Sager has been named the 2005 NCAA Midwest Region Fencing Coach of the Year. The Coach of the Year awards are handed out in all four regions nationwide (Northeast, Mid-Atlantic/South, Midwest & West) and encompass both men's and women's fencing teams.

Now in his fourth year at the helm of the Vikings, Sager directed the men's foil squad to a second-place finish at the Midwest Conference Championships after posting a 23-4 regular season record. Sophomore foilist Mike Merker earned a berth in the upcoming NCAA Championships and Merker was one of six members of the CSU men's and women's teams to earn All-Region accolades.

"This is an incredible honor considering this region has coaches who have won the last two NCAA Championships," Sager said. "This was one of those magical seasons where it all came together with a lot of hard work and a little luck. For me, it is especially gratifying because the majority of my team was developed here at Cleveland State."

Merker will travel to Houston, Texas for the NCAA Championships on March 17-18.