Nov. 22, 2016
MINNEAPOLIS - The Penn State men's gymnastics team enters the 2017 campaign ranked sixth in the College Gymnastics Association (CGA) Preseason Coaches' Poll as announced Tuesday, Nov. 22.
Oklahoma was picked to finish first in the nation for the third-straight season with 17 first-place votes, while Stanford was picked to finish second with one first-place vote and Ohio State was projected to round out the top three with one first-place vote. Minnesota and Illinois ranked fourth and fifth, respectively with Penn State coming in as the No. 6 team to start the 2017 season.
Head coach Randy Jepson returns to the helm of the Penn State program for his 26th season, looking for the squad's fourth Big Ten title and nation-leading 13th National Championship. The 2017 returns one All-American in redshirt-senior Leroy Clarke, Jr. (Maplewood, N.J.), who placed eighth on the still rings at the 2016 National Championship. Also returning for a final season for the Blue and White is senior captain Dominic DiFulvio (Marietta, N.Y.), who was an all-around competitor and picked up four first-place finishes in the 2016 campaign.
Penn State will also be looking to six newcomers to make an impact immediately, specifically on the pommel horse as Stephen Nedoroscik (Worcester, Mass.) and Favian Valdez (Kearny, N.J.) have been tabbed as two of the top pommel horse performers in the country in their respective classes.
The Nittany Lions kick off the 2017 on the road as it travels to the West Points Open, Jan. 13-14. Last season, Penn State captured the team title as well as all six individual titles for the first time since the 2012 season.
Fans can catch the 2017 team home at Rec Hall for the first time in 2017 Saturday, Jan. 21 when they take on Army West Point in a double dual with the women's program starting at 4 p.m.
Single meet and season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by contacting 1-800-NITTANY, online at www.GoPSUSports.com/tickets or in person at the Bryce Jordan Center.
COLLEGE GYMNASTICS ASSOCIATION PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
- 1. Oklahoma (377 points) (17 first place votes)
- 2. Stanford (357 points) (1 first place votes)
- 3. Ohio State (338 points) (1 first place votes)
- 4. Minnesota (312 points)
- 5. Illinois (309 points)
- 6. Penn State (263 points)
- 7. Iowa (251 points)
- 8. California (248 points)
- 9. Nebraska (242 points)
- 10. Michigan (238 points)
- 11. Air Force (190 points)
- 12. Navy (173 points)
- 13. Army (155 points)
- 14. William & Mary (129 points)
- 15. Arizona State (106 points)
- 16. Springfield College (91 points)
- 17. UIC (64 points)
- 18. Temple (63 points)
- 19. Washington (57 points)
- 20. SC United (27 points)