Redshirt senior gymnast Noah Roberson is a force to be reckoned with in competition and academics.
This Williamsville, New York native is no stranger to academic success, having graduated high school with a 4.0 GPA. He continues to excel in academics at the collegiate level, boasting a 4.0 while double-majoring in Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering. These high marks have earned him Academic Big Ten Honors, as well as two consecutive Elite 90 awards, bestowed upon the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average who has reached the competition at the finals site for their respective sport. Roberson, as a redshirt senior, is a member of Schreyer Honors College and is currently pursuing his master's degree while competing with Penn State. He also recently became engaged.
"I've come a long way, and I'm happy to still be here," Roberson said. "I give it everything I've got."
He is a strong competitor on rings and earned himself a 13.40 in the event at Penn State's Big Ten Opener against Nebraska Jan. 26. Last season, he earned five podium finishes and held the team's best at 14.400 on the still rings. Prior to his Penn State career, Roberson was a six-time Junior Olympics national qualifier.
Roberson became interested in gymnastics thanks to his older brother and sister. It was originally his older brother's idea to give the sport a try, and as the younger brother, Roberson was eager to follow his older brother. The brothers were competing in meets by the following year.
He started later than most gymnasts at age 8, and his coach saw potential in him. Although he did not have many collegiate gymnastics offers besides Penn State, he worked tremendously hard to become a contributing team member. He recalls being behind on a lot of skills when he arrived at Penn State.
"I didn't have any offers from other schools," Roberson said. "I was actually really close to going to Navy. I'm always appreciative for the opportunity (head coach) Randy (Jepson) gave me."
Earning a spot on the Penn State men's gymnastics roster is extremely competitive. As a walk-on freshman, Roberson wasn't quite ready to compete at the team's level. His handstand was his weakest element, so he spent his summers working on that and other elements of the sport. He stayed on as a team manager and continued to practice with the team. Jepson recognized his work ethic from the start, and Roberson now has a very consistent dismount.
"He saw what he had to do and the level he had to be at," Jepson said. "He raised the base level. I trust him with that."
As a coach, Jepson appreciates Roberson's ability to know what works for him, and what doesn't. As a senior, Roberson won't be able to take as many passes as the younger guys, and he understands that and has performed well when given the opportunity in competition.
Being one of the oldest members of the team, the responsibilities of being a role model naturally fall on him. Jepson wants his team to use Roberson's work ethic as an example of what to model their own work ethic after.
"I would hope guys would look at him and say, 'You know what, I need to put as much work in as he does,'" Jepson said. "If they do that, they'll have a great chance to be successful."
In his freshman year, Roberson watched the team clinch the 2015 Big Ten title. He wants to contribute to another victory of that kind, and has his eye on the 2019 Big Ten title.
To achieve that, Roberson has the help of Jepson, who plans to be judicious about rest throughout the season. He and his coaching staff want to make sure the gymnasts can finish strong without the challenges of fatigue or injury. Roberson performed in the Big Ten opener with a shoulder injury, and Jepson has every confidence that Roberson will be able to keep his stamina up at NCAA's in late spring.
"It would mean the world to me to go out on top with this team and have that memory with them for years to come," Roberson said.
In his final season with Penn State, Roberson certainly has clear aspirations for the team. Still, the unparalleled environment of Penn State is not lost on him. His favorite part of competing for this team is the team atmosphere.
"I'm smiling just thinking about this past week vs. Nebraska," Roberson said. "There was so much energy."
Roberson and the Nittany Lions will have another chance to compete this weekend when they travel for a tri-meet against Illinois-Chicago and Springfield at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10 in Chicago.