March 9, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Freshman Miguel Pineda (Galloway, Ohio), the standard bearer for Penn State's next generation of great men's gymnasts, has been honored as Big Ten Gymnast of the Week, the conference office announced on Monday afternoon. He was recognized with the award for his standout performances in the eighth-ranked Nittany Lions' dual meet win over No. 11 Temple and tri-meet victories over No. 15 William & Mary and No. 13 Navy last weekend.
The honor is Pineda's first of his career and the fifth earned by a PSU gymnast this year, after senior Casey Sandy (Brampton, Ont.) claimed four through the season's first six weeks.
Competing in the all-around twice within the span of three days, Pineda earned seven top three finishes, including winning two still rings titles and the first all-around crown of his young career.
Versus Temple on Friday, Pineda won the still rings and placed second in the pommel horse and third in the parallel bars en route to taking the all-around with a personal season high score of 85.300.
On Sunday, in a tri-meet with William & Mary and Navy, he bested or tied his scores from Friday in every event to place second in the all-around. His total of 86.750 broke his 2009 personal best established just two days earlier. Pineda won his second straight still rings title and his sixth of his rookie season with one of the team's top scores in 2009, a 15.050.
The Nittany Lions return home this weekend to host No. 3 Cal in a 7 p.m. dual meet on Sat., March 14 at Rec Hall. For seniors Casey Sandy, Josh Borromeo (Littlestown, Pa.), and Shaun Antonio (Rio Rancho, N.M.) it will be their final home appearance in a Nittany Lion uniform. The trio will be honored in a special ceremony following the meet. A year ago, Penn State fell to the Golden Bears, 360.550-351.300, in Berkeley, Calif.