UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State men's gymnastics squad and Head Coach Randy Jepson have added four new Nittany Lions to the team as they welcome Robbie Shamp, Cannon Johnson, Jalen Peterson, and Chase Clingman.
"We have a great group of young men that will be joining us," Head Coach Randy Jepson stated of his newest Nittany Lions. "We are excited what they are going to bring, not only in terms of their competitive ability, but we are also just as excited about what they bring in terms of their character. I know that they will put us in a good place for in the years ahead. We are glad to have these four joining us next year.
Robbie Shamp
Height: 5-7
Hometown: Marrero, La.
Events: All-Around
Gymnastics Background
Prepped at Thomas Jefferson High School and trained with All Stars Gymnastics… Competed in the National Championships in 2014, 2016 and 2018… Finished 13th all around, second on floor and second on vault in 2014… Earned a first place finish on vault, second place on floor, tied for ninth on parallel bars, 12th on high bar and 11th all around in 2016… Placed first on floor, sixth on vault and 11th all around in 2018… Named Louisiana Gymnastics State Champion at the high school level in all around in 2016 and 2017… Was the Gymnastics State Champion in his club career from 2016-2019.
Personal
Born Bernard Robert Shamp III on Aug. 13, 2001… Parents are Robert and Lidya Shamp… Has a sister, Isela and a brother, Charles… Plans to major in Kinesiology.
Cannon Johnson
Height: 5-8
Hometown: Teaneck, N.J.
Events: All-Around
Gymnastics Background
Prepped at Dwight-Englewood School and trained at U.S. Gymnastics Development Center II… Competed in the U.S. Gymnastics Championship ... In 2016, took second at the Men's Junior Olympic National Championships in all-around, with a third-place finish in still rings, and a sixth-place finish in pommel.
Personal
Born Cannon Johnson on Sept. 8, 2001 to Steven and Themba… Has two brothers, Chance and Bryce.
Jalen Peterson
Height: 5-7
Hometown: Woodbridge, Va.
Events: All-Around
Gymnastics Background
Prepped at C.D. Hylton High School and trained at Apollo Gymnastics… Competed in the 2017 Junior Olympic Nationals where he earned a first-place finish on the floor… Helped lead Apollo Gymnastics to regional and state championships in the 2017-2018 season.
Personal
Born Jalen Anwar Peterson on May 23, 2001… Son of Marla Peter… Has one sister, Malayna, and two brothers, Mykel and Jeremiah… Plans to major in business
Chase Clingman
Height: 5-8
Hometown: Leesburg, Va.
Events: Pommel, Floor, Vault, Parallel Bars
Gymnastics Background
Prepped at Loudoun County High School and trained at Apex Gymnastics from 2005-2015, and Apollo Gymnastics from 2016-2018… Future stars National Team member in 2012… Competed in the Junior Olympics from 2013-2016, then again in 2018 and was a five-time Men's Gymnastics Junior Olympic qualifier… Won national recognition in all-around (second place), pommel horse (third place), and parallel bars (third place) in Junior Olympic competition in 2014… Also was the first-place Region 7 all-around champion and first-place Virginia State all-around champion in 2014… Earned third-place finishes in both all-around and high bar in the 2015 Junior Olympics… Competed in all-around and high bar again in the 2016 Junior Olympics, this time earning first-place finishes in both events… Switched to Apollo Gymnastics in 2017, but still managed to earn a third-place finish in the Virginia State all-around championship… Returned to the Junior National Olympics in 2018 as an elite qualifier and earned an 11th place finish all-around and fifth-place on the pommel horse… Also was the third-place Region 7 pommel horse champion and second-place Virginia State All-Around champion in 2018… Two-time USGA Academic All-American.
Personal
Born Chase Donovan Clingman on June 19, 2001… Parents are Geoff and Cindy… Has one sister, Courtney, and one brother, Nathan, who competed on the club gymnastics and ski teams at James Madison University… Plans to major in computer science and cyber security.