Cleveland, OH-The Cleveland State fencing program and head coach
Jennifer Oldham welcomed its newest signees to campus for the start of the 2025-26 school year. A total of six student-athletes are set to join the teams this season.
"Even before the season starts, this recruiting class is making a big impact," said Coach Oldham. "They've already built strong bonds with the team and connected instantly with the previous recruiting classes, showing huge leadership potential."
Cleveland State Fencing 2025-26 Incoming Class
Anna Klimenko, Freshman, Tailinn, Estonia
Epee
-Attended Ontario Virtual School
-Champion of the Provincial JSV AAA, placing first in both juniors and seniors
-Placed first at the Terres des Hommes Juniors
-Placed ninth at the Morris Cup Juniors
-Placed 11th at the 2024 Senior National Championships
-Plans to major in Psychology
Trent Chemezov, Freshman, Leesburg, VA
Epee
-Competed in Virginia, Region 6 B rated fencer
-Ranked in the top 30 in Junior and Division II in Virginia Region 6 for epee
-Two-time Junior Olympic and Summer National Qualifier
-A/B Honor Roll Student three consecutive years
-Plans to major in International Relations on pre-law track
Jamison Horne, Freshman, Overland Park, KS
Saber
-Placed first in the Bill Starr Memorial as well as the St. Louis Summer and Autumn Saber events
-Registered top five finishes in numerous additional local and state events
-Placed 80th at Summer Nationals
-Graduated Cum Laude from Blue Valley West HS with a 3.79 GPA
-Plans to major in Business or Music Composition
Ben Palladino, Freshman, Cheshire, CT
Epee
-Four-year varsity letterwinner and two-time captain at Cheshire HS
-Named First-Team All-American, All-State and All-League as a senior
-Placed third individually at Varsity State Tournament
-Finished his junior season with a record of 55-4
-Led team to a 12-0 league record and a State Championship in 2023-24
-Plans to major in Criminology
Marcus Strugar, Redshirt Freshman, Beaverton, OR
Foil
-Attended Century High School
-Son of Andrei and Arlene Strugar
-Plans to have major focus on pre-medical
Adrian Rakotozafy, Freshman, Pittsburgh, PA
Epee
- Attended Mount Lebanon high school
- Plans to major in Computer Science & Electrical Engineering
- Son of Nalini and Mamianja Rakotozafy
