March 31, 2016
By Miranda Kulp, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - With only a few days until the Nittany Lions travel to Columbus, Ohio to compete in the Big Ten championships, Penn State is getting ready to try and make program history as back-to-back Big Ten champions.
Since winning the title last year, the men's team dreams of bringing home back-to-back championships and are staying strong and focused to complete their goal.
For his first time competing in the Big Ten, freshman Michael Burns is preparing himself for a whole new experience.
"To prepare we're doing a lot of work on routines and staying healthy," said Burns. "I'm expecting us to go out there and do our job, we're not going to do better than what we have been doing in practice but I think if we do as well we'll get the job done."
"We know the importance of ironing out the little details in practice so that's what we're focusing on right now," continued Burns.
Burns, just like senior Trevor Howard, is actually returning to their native state of Ohio.
"It'll be pretty bittersweet having my last time step on the map for Penn State be in my hometown, " said Howard.
Howard, who is one of the leaders on the team, came up huge for the Blue and White last year with his performance. He helped Penn State score a 436.700, edging out Illinois (436.100) and Michigan (434.750) to claim first place.
This year, Howard is aiming to three-peat on the still rings. If he accomplishes this, he will be the second Penn Stater in the program to complete this task.
"I always train my hardest," said Howard. "I want to make sure I can come in clutch for my team and it motivates me to perform at my best level."
"This is my last time competing and I've learned a lot on the way to getting here, I think we have a good mindset heading into this competition," said Howard.
Veterans Benjamin Cooperman (sophomore) and Dominic DiFulvio (junior) also enter the competition with experience.
"Last year we showed that if we fight until the end, anything can happen and I think that first place trophy will really motivate us to complete our goals," said Cooperman.
"There's nothing like competing in that championship environment since It's so different than the regular season," continued Cooperman. "The pressure is higher but I think that brings out some of our best work as a team."
Upperclassman Difulvio also enters the weekend with high hopes of bringing back the gold to Happy Valley.
"It's a pretty crazy contest in the past so I'm expecting nothing less," said Difulvio. "I'm prepared to keep our team hyped throughout the contest cause we've learned that when you want to have fun-that's when you compete your best and that's what will help us win the best."
"Coach always tells us we need to do our jobs, nothing more and nothing less and that's how we'll be victorious," continued Difulvio.
The Big Ten championship will start on April 1 and continue on until April 2. Starting time is 7:00 p.m. ET.