April 17, 2008
NATIONAL QUALIFIER SCORING UPDATES
See below for scores as they are available and commentary
Parallel Bars
Noam Shaham - 13.750
Vladi Klurman - 14.050, fell on dismount, season-low score
Santiago Lopez - 14.250
Derek Helsby - 13.650, fall during routine
Tommy Ramos - 14.600
Casey Sandy - 15.000
Penn State totaled a 57.900 in the parallel bars, its lowest team score in the event since scoring a 57.800 at Illinois on Feb. 12. The Nittany Lions are in fourth place after the first rotation, with Michigan yet to compete after coming off a bye.
High Bar
Nick Virbitsky - 14.300, his second highest score of the season
Santiago Lopez - 14.100, tied for his season high
Derek Helsby - 14.550, his third highest score of the year
Tommy Ramos - 14.050
Noam Shaham - 13.400, lowest score of the season, fell during routine
Casey Sandy - 14.500
Penn State totaled a 57.450 in the high bar, matching its team score from two weeks ago at the Big Ten Championships. The Nittany Lions move up to third place with a 115.350 total, however, Ohio State and Michigan have had byes. They now head to floor exercise, one of their best events with significant ground to make up.
Floor Exercise
Allen Harris - 14.750
Warren Yang - 15.200
Nick Virbitsky - 15.050
Noam Shaham - 14.350, his season-low score
Santiago Lopez - 15.400, great score for the senior captain, his third highest of the season
Casey Sandy - 15.500, also his third highest of the season
Penn State rebounded with a solid 61.150 in the floor exercise, again matching its team total from the Big Ten Championships. The Nittany Lions have a bye in the fourth rotation and will be up on pommel horse next.
Pommel Horse
Jason Chu - 14.050
Vladi Klurman - 13.600
Derek Helsby - 14.050
Casey Sandy - 14.050
Brad Spicer - 14.300, a team high for the event
Tommy Ramos - scratched
Penn State scored a 56.450 in the pommel horse. The Nittany Lions currently sit in fifth place with two rotations left to go, however, the leader, Nebraska has yet to have a bye. As expected, Penn State will battle Michigan and Ohio State down the stretch for the final two spots in the team finals.
Still Rings
Derek Helsby - 15.300, he ties a season high
Josh Borromeo - 15.000 Vladi Klurman - 15.450, a season high score
Casey Sandy - 15.400, a season high score
Tommy Ramos - 15.800, a season high score
Noam Shaham - scratched
Penn State set a season high score in the rings, totaling a 61.950. All four qualifying scores, posted by Derek Helsby, Vladi Klurman, Casey Sandy, and Tommy Ramos, either tied or bested a personal season high. The Nittany Lions are in excellent position heading into the final rotation.
Vault
Allen Harris - 15.700, his second best score of the season
Jason Chu - 15.550
Casey Sandy - 15.700
Vladi Klurman - 15.200, missed on double front, put his hands down on landing
Santiago Lopez - 15.450
Noam Shaham - 15.400
Penn State scored a 62.400 in the vault and finished the session totaling 357.300, .2 behind Oklahoma. The Nittany Lions advance to defend their national title tomorrow night.
Notes
- Casey Sandy is Penn State's sole all-around competitor in today's national qualifier
- Noam Shaham is competing in five events, including for just the second time this season in vault
- Santiago Lopez is competing in four events (floor exercise, vault, parallel bars, and high bar) for just the fourth time this season
RESULTS FROM THE COLLEGE GYMNASTICS ASSOCIATION AWARDS BANQUET
Senior Derek Helsby was honored as a Nissen-Emery Award finalist, marking the seventh consecutive year that a Nittany Lion has been a nominee for the prestigious honor. Oklahoma's Jonathan Horton was recognized as the 2008 recipient. Also, Randy Jepson was named the Central Region Coach of the Year while Slava Boiko was honored as Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year.