March 2, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State senior Casey Sandy (Brampton, Ont.) has been named Big Ten Gymnast of the Week for the fourth time this season and for the conference-record 10th time in his career, the league office announced on Monday. The seven-time All-American was selected for his title-winning performances in the No. 7 Nittany Lions' thrilling 347.600-346.500 victory over No. 8 Ohio State in Rec Hall on Saturday afternoon. Sandy shares the honor this week Iowa's Geoff Reins who claimed titles in the floor exercise and vault in a loss at Illinois.
Sandy's fourth Big Ten Gymnast of the Week accolade in one season ties a personal record he established in 2008 and leaves him one shy of knotting the conference mark of five owned by Illinois' Justin Spring, which he set in 2004.
Less than 48 hours after winning the all-around at the Elite Canada 2009 and qualifying for the Canadian National Team and following a grueling cross-continent flight from British Columbia to University Park, Sandy was superb in leading No. 7 Penn State to a 347.600-346.500 victory over No. 8 Ohio State.
Inserted into the line-up for just three events due to his rigorous travel and competitive schedule, the NCAA's No. 1-ranked all-around proceeded to win all three, placing first in the pommel horse (14.800), parallel bars (15.050), and high bar (14.500). The seven-time All-American was particularly dominant in the pommel horse, scoring .7 of a point higher than the second place finisher. Sandy's parallel bars score was also a personal season high and team best for 2009. For the season, the reigning Big Ten Gymnast of the Year has posted 29 top three finishes, a remarkable 25 of which have been title wins.
A leading candidate for the 2009 Nissen-Emery Award, Sandy has earned a remarkable 135 top three finishes and secured 79 title wins in 39 career meets.
Sandy and the Nittany Lions will be in action twice next weekend with a rare road dual meet doubleheader on the schedule. On, Fri., March 6, Penn State will face No. 10 Temple at 7 p.m. at the Owls' McGonigle Hall in Philadelphia. From there, the Lions will travel south to Williamsburg, Va. for a 2 p.m. match-up with No. 14 William & Mary on Sun., March 8. Penn State has more wins against Temple than any other opponent in program history (72) and owns a perfect 14-0 record in its all-time series with William & Mary.