Dec. 13, 2013
Complete Big Ten Preseason Release | Complete GymInfo Preseason Poll
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; December 13, 2013 - As the season closes in, the Penn State women's gymnastics program has been tabbed as one of the nation's top programs, as well as a contender for the Big Ten title.
"Each year, I say it's not about where you start - it's where you finish," said head coach Jeff Thompson. "We are excited to see a top 15 preseason ranking and plan to improve upon that as the season progresses. We have high expectations for this team as we are poised to host the Big Ten and NCAA Regional Championships in March and April."
The Nittany Lions were chosen to finish fourth in the Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll and were tabbed as preseason No. 15 by GymInfo - the official ranking website for collegiate gymnastics. Along with the Big Ten preseason rankings, the coaches in the conference tabbed sophomore Samantha Musto and junior Krystal Welsh as Penn State gymnasts to watch during the 2014 season.
"Krystal [Welsh] and Samantha [Musto] were both named to the Gymnasts to Watch based upon their outstanding freshmen seasons." Said Thompson. "Krystal was a top all-arounder her freshmen year; but only competed on two events last season due to injury and will be back on all four events and poised to be one of our top scorers. Samantha was the Big Ten Freshman of the Week during the two opening weekends last year before an injury limited her participation. She is anxious to get back to competing on all four events this season, as well. Both girls are expected to be confident and dependable performers for us this entire season."
In the national rankings, Penn State begins 2014 right where they left off, ranked among the top-15 programs in the NCAA. The Blue and White are one of six Big Ten programs ranked in the top-20, tied with the SEC and Pac 12 for the most teams in the top-20. Michigan (No. 7), Nebraska (No. 10), Minnesota (No. 14), Penn State, Illinois (No. 16) and Ohio State (No. 19) are all represent the conference in the national poll.
Junior Krystal Welsh |
The Big Ten coaches see it almost the same way, choosing Michigan to claim the Big Ten title, followed by Nebraska, Minnesota and Penn State. They tabbed Ohio State as the fifth best program in the conference, followed by Illinois, Michigan State and Iowa to round out the preseason rankings.
"It is good to see the Big Ten with such a strong showing in the national polls," said Thompson. "So, the No. 4 ranking in the Big Ten Coaches Poll was expected since there were three conference teams ahead of us in the national poll. More importantly, in order to advance to the evening session of the Big Ten Championships, we will need to upset one of the two teams ahead of us at our quad meet at Michigan with Minnesota and Iowa to end the season."
Even with the loss of Madison Merriam and Sharaya Musser to graduation, the Nittany Lions bring back a veteran corps of gymnasts that will push for the programs first team appearance at the NCAA Championships since 2011.
Seniors Lindsay Musgrove and Kassidy Stauder highlight the returning gymnasts for Penn State, while juniors Lexi Carroll, Randi Lau, Sidney Sanabria-Robles, Krystal Welsh and Alex Witt add experience and depth to the roster.
The sophomore class includes Musto, who was one of just five underclassmen elected to the Big Ten's 16-person Gymnasts to Watch list, Taylor Alotta, Alix Faden, Hannah Kobman and Savannah Soares. The freshmen contingent welcomes Nicole Medvitz, Tina Postiglione and Emma Sibson, all adding their dynamic abilities to an already impressive roster.
Penn State will open their regular season at Iowa State on Sunday, Jan. 5 before taking on No. 21 Kentucky in a quad meet that includes Ball State and West Virginia on Friday, Jan. 10. Their Big Ten opener comes on Saturday, Jan. 25 at Michigan State. The Nittany Lions will host No. 10 Nebraska (Feb. 8) and No. 16 Illinois (Feb. 15) in their only two home regular season Big Ten meets.
The Blue and White will host the Big Ten Championships on March 22 and the NCAA Regional Championships on April 5 inside historic Rec Hall.
For information on purchasing 2014 season tickets or Big Ten and NCAA Regional Championship tickets fans can visit http://www.gopsusports.com/tickets/w-gym-tickets.html or call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
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