March 26, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State junior Casey Sandy (Brampton, Ont.) has been honored as Big Ten Men's Gymnast of the Week for the fourth time this season, the conference office announced on Wednesday. The 2007 All-American was recognized with the award for his standout performances in the No. 3 Nittany Lions' match-up with No. 2 Oklahoma last weekend in Rec Hall.
For Sandy, the conference honor is the sixth of his career. He was also named Big Ten Men's Gymnast of the Week earlier this season after stellar outings versus Army, Michigan, and Ohio State. Two years ago, Sandy became the only freshman to be selected for the award twice, winning it for his efforts in two of his first three collegiate meets.
Against the Sooners, Sandy stole the spotlight in his head-to-head match-up with two of the nation's top gymnasts, former NCAA champions Jonathan Horton and Taqiy Abdullah-Simmons, winning the pommel horse, vault (tie), and high bar titles en route to his sixth all-around crown of the season. For Sandy, the nation's No. 1 ranked all-around competitor, the four victories versus the Sooners marks the fifth time this year that he has won three or more titles in a meet. In total, Sandy has claimed 24 first-place and 39 top three finishes in 2008.
The Nittany Lions will return to action early next month when six of the nation's top nine teams descend upon Happy Valley and Rec Hall from April 4-5 for the 2008 Big Ten Men's Gymnastics Championships. Penn State, which has hosted the postseason event twice previously, will be seeking its second conference title. On Friday, the 2008 team and all-around champions will be crowned while Saturday's action will feature the individual event finals. Both nights of competition are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m and will be broadcast live by the Big Ten Network.