Feb. 26, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -
By Anita Nham, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - After a week of rest, a majority of the Nittany Lions are ecstatic to compete again, but for five seniors, they don't want the season to end this Friday evening as they take on the Iowa Hawkeyes on their annual Senior Night.
Take a look at the outstanding careers as a Penn State gymnast for five seniors.
Craig Hernandez
"It's the last time I get to suit up in the Blue and White, but it will be exciting to have my family there and have a bunch of recognition," said Hernandez.
During his freshman year, Hernandez displayed that he would be an important aspect to the team. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week twice during the season, was named First Team All-Big Ten and qualified for the NCAA Championships.
In his sophomore year, Hernandez made history after he broke Penn State's pommel horse record by securing a score of 15.750 at the Navy Open. His accolades continued in his junior year, but his favorite memory in his Penn State career has nothing to do with his achievements.
"My favorite competition was the Big Ten [Championships] last year in Nebraska," said Hernandez. "The team did well, but it was so much fun competing with the guys and I'm just hoping that the rest of our competitions are like that."
Rec Hall is home to men's gymnastics and is known for being one of the most captivating sports venue in the nation. Hernandez couldn't agree more with the latter.
"I just love the atmosphere of Rec Hall," said Hernandez. "You travel everywhere and Rec Hall is always my favorite place."
Ismael Sanabria
At the age of three, Sanabria's father decided to have him participate in gymnastics because he was an extremely hyper kid. Eighteen years later and Sanabria has continued to practice the sport.
During recruiting, even being from Puerto Rico, Sanabria didn't need to think twice about attending Penn State.
"We've had a couple of teammates come here before me and it's a great university and they have a great gymnastics program and just seemed right to go here," said Sanabria.
Being so far from home can be tough, but with a tight-knit group, finding a new home isn't hard.
"[I'm going to miss] my teammates and being around everyone," said Sanabria. "They're all great people and they all love the sport and they want to compete."
With such a close bond with his teammates, his favorite memory is a similar one to his teammate, Hernandez.
"[My favorite memory] was the Big Ten [Championship] in Nebraska," said Sanabria. "It was the best competition I had ever been to. It was fun and there was just a great atmosphere there."
Though Sanabria loved the Championships last year, he's eager for the meet this Friday.
"I feel pretty good about it," said Sanabria. "I'm actually pretty excited about it, last home meet, even though I don't want to leave Rec Hall. It's a great place."
Matthew Felleman
Felleman started his collegiate career by competing in seven of the team's nine meets and would always surpass his career-best score as the season continued. He competed in all of the team's meets and at the NCAA Championships his sophomore year where he finished fourth overall on high bar with a score of 14.850.
During his junior year, he led the Blue and White on high bar and eventually represented Penn State on the high bar at the Big Ten Championship team finals where he finished sixth.
The Big Ten Championships last year were a favorite memory for some of his fellow teammates, but for Felleman, anytime on high bar is a good memory.
"Every time I went up on high bar [was my favorite moment]," said Felleman. "I was usually either anchor or somewhat of a lift up for the team, so those moments when I was last on high bar, the team relied on me. Those were some really big moments that I won't forget."
He hopes to make more memories and be the best he can be this Friday.
"I'm very excited. My body is feeling probably the best its felt all season," said Felleman. "I can't wait. There's a lot of nervous energy because it's my last real home meet besides Big Ten, so I'm sure there's going to be emotions on the floor...I'm hoping to go out there and hit all five events the best that I can."
Néstor RodrÃÂguez
RodrÃÂguez was part of the Puerto Rican National Team Gymnasium club team before he came to Penn State and has continued to compete internationally for Puerto Rico. Those 1,600 miles may be hard at times, but he has a strong support system.
"[I'm going to miss] the team and how everyone just gets along," said RodrÃÂguez. "For someone like me, coming from Puerto Rico, to get along and meet new people, it's pretty much getting a new family."
Even with a unique and memorable career, RodrÃÂguez favorite meet is a commonality between the seniors.
"[My favorite memory was] last year's Big Ten Championships," said RodrÃÂguez. "It was one of the funnest meets I had ever lived through and everyone pretty much hit their set and the energy was so high."
Though RodrÃÂguez is injured and unable to compete this Friday, he is satisfied with his time at Penn State.
"It's the end of an era," said RodrÃÂguez. "It's the end of my four years as a college athlete and student. It's just something that makes me proud."
Tristan Duverglas
Duverglas started gymnastics when he was three years old because his parents wanted him to be safe when they noticed how hyper he was and how he would always love to jump off of things. Seeing gymnastics at the summer Olympics was another factor to the start of his career.
Duverglas has accomplished a lot in his collegiate career, but his favorite memory was last year in the meet against the Illini.
"I won the Gene Wettstone Award last year and it was my first time winning and it was a good feeling," said Duverglas.
The "Gene Wettstone Award" is granted to the most extraordinary gymnast after each double dual meet.
With that being such a good memory, Duverglas doesn't want his career at Penn State to end.
[I feel] bittersweet," said Duverglas. "Being in Rec Hall is always fun, always a great time, but thinking about it as the last time I'll be competing there before Big Ten's is somewhat sad because it's going to bring back a lot of memories.'
As Duverglas finishes his time at Penn State, he hopes the underclassmen understands the chance being given to them.
"Take advantage of every opportunity you have," said Duverglas. "Opportunities come and go, but the ones you take advantage of, the ones that you're going to grow the most from, so being able to come to Penn State and be on the gymnastics team, and experience all those things, was really an opportunity that I've never really thought about before, before being approached by coach Jepson."