March 31, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The defending Big Ten champion and No. 6-ranked Penn State men's gymnastics team will seek the program's third conference title at the 2009 Big Ten Men's Gymnastics Championships from April 3-4 at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich. on the host campus of the University of Michigan. Penn State will battle the other members of the nation's elite men's gymnastics conference for team and individual titles over the course of the two-day event and strive to gain momentum as it pursues its NCAA-record 13th national championship.
The team and all-around competition will take place on Fri., April 3 with the individual event finals set for Sat., April 4. Competition on both days is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET.
LIVE ON THE BIG TEN NETWORK
The Big Ten Network will broadcast the 2009 Big Ten Men's Gymnastics Championships live to a national television audience for the second-straight year. The championships will also be re-broadcast on Sat., April 4 (team finals - 9 p.m. ET), Tues., April 7 (individual finals - 5 p.m. ET), and Wed., April 8 (individual finals - 1 a.m. & 12 p.m. ET/team finals - 10 a.m.).
PREVIEWING PENN STATE
Penn State has competitors that will challenge for Big Ten titles in every event, led by the nation's No. 1-ranked all-arounder and reigning conference all-around champion, Casey Sandy. In the floor exercise, junior Allen Harris owns a team season-high score of 15.450 but sophomore Warren Yang, senior Shaun Antonio, and junior Nick Virbitsky, an All-American in the event in 2007, could also be factors. Sandy, who set the program record with a score of 15.650 versus Cal, represents Penn State's best hope in the pommel horse. Freshman Miguel Pineda, who earned six title-wins in his rookie campaign, and senior Josh Borromeo, who posted the team's top score (15.250) in 2009, will headline the Nittany Lions on the still rings. Casey Sandy, Noam Shaham, and Nick Virbitsky will provide Penn State with a triple threat in the vault. Sandy is PSU's top performer in the parallel bars and high bar. He is the defending Big Ten champion in the parallel bars and recorded a career and team season-high score in the high bar this season (15.450). Shaham, with six top three finishes in the high bar in 2009, is also a threat to earn All-Big Ten honors. Overall, Penn State has seven competitors that hold 14 top 20 spots in the national rankings.
Team captain Josh Borromeo owns PSU's top still rings score for the season |
PREVIEWING THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Competition at the 2009 Big Ten Championships is sure to be fierce, as all six Big Ten members are ranked among the top 10 teams in the nation. There is no clear-cut favorite for the 2009 title but, as hosts of the event, No. 5 Michigan will have a decided advantage. Illinois is ranked one spot higher than the Wolverines and has defeated every conference opponent in head-to-head dual meet competition this season. Defending Big Ten champion Penn State (No. 6) and preseason conference favorite Ohio State (No. 7) are young teams that have had up and down seasons. Eighth-ranked Minnesota is an up-and-coming dangerous squad with a home win over Penn State highlighting its season thus far. Iowa, ranked No. 10, has struggled this year but has shown improvement in recent weeks. The meet will also showcase Nissen-Emery Award finalists Jake Bateman (Ohio State), Kit Beikmann (Minnesota), Philip Goldberg (Michigan), and Casey Sandy (Penn State).
FOLLOW THE ACTION ONLINE
Fans can also follow all of the action of both days of competition at the 2009 Big Ten Men's Gymnastics Championships on the Internet with live scoring updates. Find a link on the official website of Nittany Lion athletics, www.GoPSUsports.com.
PENN STATE AT THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Nittany Lions will be aiming to claim their second straight and third overall conference title in program history this weekend. In 2003, led by head coach Randy Jepson and All-Big Ten performers Kevin Tan and Luis Vargas, the Lions attained their first team title. Last season, Casey Sandy won the parallel bars and all-around championships while Tommy Ramos captured his second Big Ten title in the still rings, helping PSU to its second team title. Penn State has finished second at the Big Ten Championships on three occasions (1998, 2004, and 2007) and placed third five times (1994, 1996, 1997, 2001, and 2002) since joining the conference in 1992. Illinois has claimed the most Big Ten Championships with 23.
PENN STATE AT THE 2008 BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
For the second consecutive year, Penn State thrilled a partisan crowd by winning a title on its home floor, as the Nittany Lions captured the 2008 Big Ten Championship at Rec Hall. Almost a year to the date after Penn State won its NCAA record 12th national championship in its historic home venue, the Nittany Lions claimed five of six events, posting a team score of 360.450, to claim the program's second conference title.
Casey Sandy anchored the Nittany Lions, dominating the tough conference competition to become Penn State's first Big Ten all-around champion since Mike Dutka in 1998. The junior placed first in the parallel bars (tie, 15.250), second in the pommel horse (15.350), third in the floor exercise (tie, 15.450), fourth in the rings (15.350), fifth in the high bar (tie, 14.200), and seventh in the vault (15.900) on his way to the 2008 all-around crown. Senior Derek Helsby placed fourth in the all-around, earning All-Big Ten honors for the third consecutive year; a feat only current Penn State assistant coach Kevin Tan has accomplished.
In the individual event finals, Sandy shined again, capturing the parallel bars crown with a score of 15.300. Reflective of his Big Ten Gymnast of the Year accolade, he also placed second in the floor (15.350), third in the pommel horse (14.750), and sixth in the vault (tie, 15.400). Tommy Ramos, competing for just the fifth time on the still rings all season, claimed the Big Ten title in the event with a score of 15.500, giving him two in three years after winning the crown in 2006.
PENN STATE VS. THE BIG TEN IN 2009
Penn State had mixed results against Big Ten opponents in the regular season, compiling a 2-2 record. At home in historic Rec Hall, the Nittany Lions topped Michigan (348.900-348.350) in their Big Ten opener and got by Ohio State (347.600-346.500) just over one month later. Penn State suffered both conference losses on the road, as Minnesota edged the Lions (345.850-344.500) on Jan. 31 and Illinois triumphed, 345.500-339.800, in their lowest scoring performance of the season on Feb. 14. Penn State and Iowa did not meet in the regular season.
Junior Allen Harris posted Penn State's best floor exercise score of 2009, a 15.450 |
NEXT UP FOR THE NITTANY LIONS
In two weeks, the Nittany Lions will seek their NCAA-record 13th national title when they travel to Minneapolis, Minn. for the 2009 National Collegiate Men's Gymnastics Championships. From April 16-18, the nation's elite collegiate gymnastics competitors will descend upon the Sports Pavilion on the campus of the University of Minnesota to vie for team and individual glory. The competition begins on Thurs., April 16 with two qualifying sessions, scheduled for 2 and 8 p.m. ET. The top three teams from each qualifier then advance to vie for the national championship at 8 p.m. ET on Fri., April 17. The nation's top all-around performer will also be crowned that evening. On Sat., April 18, the individual event finals will be held at 8 p.m. ET, with six national titles and All-American status at stake.
SANDY, NISSEN-EMERY FINALIST
Senior Casey Sandy is one of nine finalists for the prestigious 2009 Nissen-Emery Award, as announced by the Collegiate Gymnastics Association (CGA). Bestowed in recognition of outstanding athletic achievement, academic excellence, and sportsmanship, the Nissen-Emery Award is the highest individual honor presented in collegiate gymnastics.
In addition to providing outstanding leadership in the gym, representing his team and university with class and honor in all endeavors, and fulfilling the role of a dedicated and diligent student, Sandy has had an excellent and historic competitive senior season. The defending NCAA all-around champion has captured 29 titles in 2009, including sweeping first place in the pommel horse for the year. Sandy tied the single season conference record by earning five Big Ten Gymnast of the Week awards and shattered the career mark for winning a total of 11 league honors. The reigning Big Ten Gymnast of the Year has also been named CGA National Gymnast of the Week three times. Following the completion of the regular season, the seven-time All-American is ranked in the top six in the nation in five of six events and holds the No. 1 position in the all-around. He also owns the team's top score in four events and has set career-highs in the pommel horse (15.650) and high bar (15.450) this season.
Penn State has won five Nissen-Emery Awards in the storied history of the program, one shy of Oklahoma for the most by one program. In 2007, Matt Cohen became Penn State's latest honoree after a brilliant career. The 2009 recipient will be announced at the CGA Annual Awards Presentation banquet at Minnesota on Wed., April 15.
SANDY CLAIMS CONFERENCE AND NATIONAL HONORS
In 2009, senior Casey Sandy tied the conference record for garnering the most Big Ten Gymnast of the Week honors in a season, earning five. He was recognized following standout performances versus Michigan (Jan. 26), Minnesota (Feb. 2), Illinois (Feb. 16), Ohio State (March 2), and Cal (March 16), equaling the total claimed by Justin Spring of Illinois in 2004. As a result of his achievement, Sandy shattered the league mark of seven Big Ten Gymnast of the Week awards in a career by winning 11. His accomplishments and exploits also gained attention at the national level, as Sandy was named the College Gymnastics Association Gymnast of the Week three times in 2009.
SANDY HONORED WITH HOMETOWN AWARD
Casey Sandy's impressive accomplishments have also garnered him attention outside of the gymnastics world. In February, he was selected as the 2008 Ken Giles Award winner, an honor presented annually to the amateur athlete of the year by The Brampton Guardian newspaper in his hometown of Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
Sandy was the eighth winner of the award, which is named in honor of legendary Brampton Guardian sports editor Ken Giles, who covered the area for 50 years before his retirement in 2000. A committee of five selected Sandy from a field of 18 nominees. Sandy is the second Nittany Lion to receive the Ken Giles Award after golfer Mark Leon was recognized in 2006.
SANDY RECOGNIZED BY SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
Casey Sandy continued to gain notice and accolades for his brilliant career and stellar 2009 season when he earned praise from one of the foremost and popular publications in the world, Sports Illustrated. The seven-time All-American was featured in SI's Faces in the Crowd, a section that highlights standout performances by amateur athletes, in the Feb. 23 edition.
Sandy was the second Nittany Lion in the last three years to be recognized in Sports Illustrated's Faces in the Crowd, after Matt Cohen made an appearance in 2007 in his senior season during his run to the Nissen-Emery Award.
The reigning Big Ten Gymnast of the Year, Sandy gained acclaim from Sports Illustrated for capturing a single meet career five individual events titles and the all-around versus Minnesota on Jan. 31. For his efforts, he was honored as the Big Ten Gymnast of the Week for a conference record eighth time in his career.
SANDY CROWNED CANADIAN NATIONAL ALL-AROUND CHAMPION
Casey Sandy added another accomplishment to his impressive gymnastics resume by capturing the all-around title at the Elite Canada 2009 in late February. His winning performance secures him a spot on the Canadian National Team.
Sandy never relinquished his grip on first place throughout the competition, scoring 87.150 on day one and 88.150 on day two. He also won the still rings (14.450/14.500) and the high bar (14.850/14.150) and placed second in the floor exercise (14.300/14.750), pommel horse (14.450/15.100), and vault (15.900/15.900).
Less than 48 hours later 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, Sandy 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.
SANDY: BY THE NUMBERS
The list of Casey Sandy's career accomplishments and awards is as extensive as it is impressive. But to view his career by the numbers is staggering. In 42 career meets, Sandy has earned 143 top three finishes and won 83 titles, including 24 in the pommel horse and 18 in the all-around. Those remarkable totals would be even greater had Sandy not missed most of his freshman year with a serious arm injury and had he not been limited by an ankle injury at the 2007 National Collegiate Championships.
Junior Noam Shaham will challenge for Big Ten titles in the vault and high bar |
SHAHAM STEPPING UP
Junior Noam Shaham has emerged over the course of the season as one of Penn State's most consistent and clutch performers. The Kfar Saba, Israel native has recorded top three finishes in four different events (floor exercise, rings, vault, high bar) and has placed second and third in the all-around two times.
In total, he has earned 20 top three finishes, won one title in the high bar, and set career highs in four events plus the all-around in 2009. Shaham is tied with Casey Sandy for the team season high score in the vault (15.950) and owns Penn State's second best score in the high bar this year, a 15.050.
THE SHAHAM
Noam Shaham has a high bar release move that is named in his honor and has been officially recognized by the FIG. Dubbed "The Shaham," it involves performing a double back with one and a half twists then catching the bar with a mixed grip. He has yet to attempt the release in a collegiate meet.
BORROMEO CAPTAINS THE LIONS
Senior Josh Borromeo is Penn State's team captain for the 2009 season. The Nittany Lions' top still rings competitor and a potential All-American in the event, Borromeo was forced to lead from the sidelines through the season's first three weeks while recuperating from a biceps strain. The preseason All-Big Ten selection has since returned to full strength and has steadily improved his performances over the course of the season. That progress culminated in the Nittany Lions' road meet versus Oklahoma in which Borromeo posted the team's season high still rings score, a 15.250.
ANTONIO ON THE RISE
Senior Shaun Antonio has made huge strides in the second half of the season, developing into a key member of the Penn State line-up in four events. In the final five weeks of the regular season, the Rio Rancho, N.M. native established new career highs in the floor exercise (15.350), parallel bars (14.750), and high bar (15.050). Antonio also won his first career title, placing first in the high bar versus Temple on March 6. In the pommel horse line-up for every meet this season, his contribution will be crucial to Penn State fortunes in the event in the postseason.
YANG STRENGTHENS LINE-UP
After seeing limited duty for the season's first five weeks, sophomore Warren Yang burst onto the scene in a home win over Ohio State on Feb. 28 and hasn't looked back. Against the Buckeyes, Yang had the best meet of his young career, registering season high scores in the floor exercise (15.400), vault (15.550), and parallel bars (14.000). He placed first in the floor exercise, the first title win of his career, and third in the high bar (14.050) en route to winning the Gene Wettstone Award, an honor presented to the most outstanding gymnast at every home meet. Since then, Yang has been a mainstay in the line-up, earning three more top three finishes, including two in a home loss to No. 3 Cal on March 14.
FRESHMEN MAKING AN IMPACT
Freshmen Miguel Pineda, Matt Albrecht, and Greg Bruns proved they were ready for the collegiate ranks by making significant contributions throughout the season. Pineda has emerged as a force for Penn State on the still rings, capturing six titles in his rookie year. He has also recorded top three finishes in the pommel horse and the parallel bars. The Galloway, Ohio product earned the first Big Ten Gymnast of the Week honor of his career for securing seven top three finishes, including his first all-around win, in weekend dual meet doubleheader victories over Temple and William & Mary.
Albrecht, one of three Canadians on the team, has earned five top three finishes in three different events (floor exercise, vault, parallel bars). His vault score of 15.900 recorded on Jan. 16 at the West Point Open ranks second on the team this season.
Bruns, one of seven Pennsylvania natives on the Penn State roster, competed in the pommel horse in every meet and in the still rings four times, showing steady improvement throughout the season.
WINTER CUP WRAP UP
Freshman Miguel Pineda and volunteer assistant coach Vladi Klurman traveled to Las Vegas, Nev. to compete as individuals at the prestigious 2009 Winter Cup Challenge.
Klurman qualified for the finals, placing 37th overall with 30 points. The Odessa, Ukraine-born North Miami Beach, Fla. native performed well in the pommel horse, placing third in Session II and eighth overall with a score of 14.200. He also had a solid showing in the still rings, finishing in 10th place in the evening qualifier (14.050). However, a shoulder injury suffered during his parallel bars routine prevented the 2007 All-American from competing in the finals.
Pineda earned a 19th place, Session II preliminary finish in the all-around with a six-event total of 77.150. His top performance came in the still rings, as he tied for seventh with a score of 14.200.
Three-time defending Winter Cup rings champion and Penn State assistant coach Kevin Tan is recovering from shoulder surgery and did not compete at this year's event. Nevertheless, the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist was named to the U.S. Men's Senior National Team for the third consecutive year.