Dec. 10, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State men's gymnastics head coach Randy Jepson has announced the signing of three recruits for the 2010 season. The newcomers to the Nittany Lion program include MacKenzie Dow, Nick Grant, and Parker Raque.
"These three student-athletes will form the nucleus of our team in the future," said Jepson, who is entering his 18th year at the helm of the Penn State program. "They will play a large part in our fortunes in the years to come. If they continue to develop like I believe they will, they will undoubtedly help Penn State remain at the forefront of collegiate gymnastics."
MacKenzie Dow, a native of Cranford, N.J., competed for Surgent's Elite, winning the all-around at the 2007 Region VII Championships. He also placed 21st in the all-around at the 2007 Junior Olympic Nationals and competed at the 2008 VISA Championships. He is expected to make contributions on the parallel bars and vault.
"MacKenzie is consistently solid," said Jepson. "He didn't miss a single routine at junior nationals. He has a great work ethic. He is tall and thin, which gives him great, long lines."
In-state product Nick Grant, from Butler, Pa., comes to Penn State after spending the two previous years preparing at the Colorado Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. He finished seventh the all-around at the 2007 Region VII Championships and placed 17th in the National Qualifier this past April. Grant excels in the floor exercise and vault.
"Nick has a great foundation. The sky is the limit for him. He is a great student. He will immediately give us great depth," Jepson said.
Parker Raque, who attends English Station Christian Academy, trained at the junior level with Champion Gymnastics in his hometown of Louisville, Ky. He gained valuable competitive experience performing at the U.S. Men's National Qualifier in Colorado Springs, Colo. in April and at the 2008 VISA Championships in Houston.
"Parker is also a great student," said Jepson. "He will help us on floor exercise, still rings, and high bar. He brings a terrific attitude and a range of difficult skills."
Jepson, the 2008 CGA Central Region and Big Ten Coach of the Year, returns 10 letterwinners from last season's Big Ten Championship squad for 2009, including 2008 Big Ten Gymnast of the Year, defending NCAA all-around champion, and seven-time All-America honoree Casey Sandy (Brampton, Ont.). The Nittany Lions, which are ranked No. 5 in the GymInfo Preseason Poll, begin competition on Sat., Jan. 10 when they host Army in a 7 p.m. dual meet in Rec Hall.