University of Detroit Mercy Athletics

In addition to returning 11 fencers from a year ago, the University of Detroit Mercy fencing squads welcome five newcomers as the Titans prepare for the start of the 2009-10 season.

“These are all walk-ons and they’re all new to fencing, but that’s nothing unusual for us,” said head coach Todd Dressell, who is entering his 11th season at UDM. “The vast majority of our team came in without experience. But I’m really happy with this group, we had a very competitive tryout and these were the best of the best from that group.

“I’m really looking forward to working with them and helping them develop their skills,” Dressell added.

Among the new crop of Titan fencers includes junior Tim Nelson and freshmen Clint Mikek, Jared Sivec and Martin Tomaj joining the men’s team, and freshman Olivia Furnas on the women’s squad.

Nelson, a Riverview, MI native, takes up fencing after being a standout in both cross country and baseball at Gabriel Richard High School. He earned four varsity letters as a harrier, setting a personal best of 16:51 on the cross country course and being the team’s No. 1 runner for four years, while earning three varsity letters on the diamond where he was a member of the back-to-back Catholic League champs. An Eagle Scout, Nelson was also the Vice President of both National Honor Society and student government, and is majoring in digital media studies.

Mikek comes to Detroit from St. Louis, MI, where he competed in golf and cross country at St. Louis High School. During Mikek’s career, the Sharks were divisional co-champions in cross country. In addition to golf and cross country, Mikek has also participated in tae kwon do before trying his hand at fencing. He was also active as a member of National Honor Society, Model UN and Business Professionals of America. Mikek is majoring in biology at UDM.

A native of Macomb, MI, Sivec competed in swimming, track, soccer and football at Dakota High School. He earned two varsity letters in swimming and track, and one in soccer. A biochemistry major, Sivec was also active in student government and National Honor Society.

Tomaj comes to UDM from Farmington Hills, MI, where he graduated from Farmington High School. He was a member of the Falcons track and field team where he set personal bests of 105 feet in the discus; 39 feet, 6 inches in the shot put; and 24 seconds in the 200-meter dash. An AP Scholar with honors at Farmington in 2008 and 2009, as well as a member of the National Honor Society, Tomaj is majoring in biology.

Furnas spent three years on the competitive dance squad and one year on the competitive cheerleading squad during her time at Dakota High School. A native of Macomb, MI, Furnas served as a dance captain during the 2007-08 season and earned a gold medal at the Shooting Stars competition. She was also a member of the National Honor Society in high school.

Nelson, Mikek and Tomaj will be competing in the epee for the Titans, Sivec will compete in the foil and Furnas will take up the saber.

The Titans five newest members will stay in Detroit as the Titans head out West for the Stanford Duals on Saturday, Nov. 14 to begin the 2009-10 season, but will instead begin their action on Dec. 5 when the Titans travel across town to Wayne State for the Istvan Danosi Michigan Open.