Feb. 6, 2016
By Miranda Kulp, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Some leaders use their voices, while others use their skills, but for men's gymnastics team captain Leroy Clarke, Jr. it is all about using his consistent drive for success to lead the Nittany Lions. After walking on the team in 2013, Clarke is now the team captain in his redshirt-junior season
Clarke has scored career bests of 14.900 on the pommel horse, 15.300 on still rings, 15.300 on parallel bars, and an impressive 15.050 on the high bar.
Something that sets Clarke apart is his humble work ethic. Regardless of how he scores, he is always looking for ways to improve and help his team.
"Leroy's been a great kid to work with in terms of his work ethic and how he handles himself," said head coach Randy Jepson."He's such a humble guy and works hard, the kind of guy every coach wants."
"Although he didn't compete that much his first year, it was a blessing in disguise since he was able to develop so much. He simply puts in constant effort and does what he's told and that's why he improved so much,"Jepson continued.
The Maplewood, N.J native, has been involved with gymnastics ever since he was a little kid. What started off as him having too much energy, quickly turned into a lifetime commitment to the sport.
"I got started when I was about four or five years old and my mom put me in the YMCA then shortly after I got noticed by a club gym coach and I've just been doing it since," said Clarke. "I've been coming to Penn State since high school to compete and I just fell in love with the university and it's always been my first love and just committed myself here."
Before becoming a Nittany Lion, Clarke trained at Surgent's Elite Gymnastics for club. Competing since his was a young child, Clarke says it's the rush of landing his routines and flipping through the air that attracted him to the sport.
"I love being active and flipping, but the best is the adrenaline rush of learning a new skill," said Clarke. "It's such a great feeling knowing you landed a difficult routine, off that one of my favorite things about gymnastics is the competition."
"Showing everyone what you've been working hard at all year is an incredible thing," he added. "It's your time to show everyone how hard you've been working and your dedication to the sport."
Although Clarke isn't the loudest on the team, he is always trying to set a positive example for his teammates and cheers them on.
"Gymnastics is unique, although it's only you performing you have an entire team routing for you," said Clarke. "I know I always have my teammates and I want to make them proud and help as much as I can."
So far Penn State men's gymnastic team stands at 7-1 and 1-1 in the Big Ten Conference.
Up next Clarke and the rest of the Blue and White hit the road to Ohio State University on Saturday, Feb. 13 to face the Buckeyes at 4 p.m.