With brothers competing on opposing gymnastics teams, Wyatt Tyndall will have an interesting competition ahead of him at Big Tens and NCAAs. His brothers, Jesse and Mitch, compete for Ohio State and Nebraska, respectively. The Canadian trio has always incorporated gymnastics into their lives, training under the same coach, Markos Baikas of Taiso Gymnastics, who has worked with them since they were each 5.
With their lives centered around gymnastics, the Tyndall boys sacrificed playing school sports and spending time with friends, but their mother said they never complained about being in the gym. They also enjoyed a pommel horse, mats and rings in the backyard of their lake house, and would practice parallel bar routines on the set at the local playground.
"They had the best of both worlds!" Wyatt's mother, Janice Tyndall, said.
The three young gymnasts quickly mastered a balance between work and play, always getting a workout in before enjoying the lake or fishing. These habits made them more well-rounded.
"Wyatt has learned to use his time wisely," Janice said. "He knows that hard work and commitment will pay off in the end."
As the family transitioned into collegiate gymnastics, they noticed how different the NCAA was from Canadian gymnastics. Canadian gymnastics is quiet, laid back and individual. The team aspect of the NCAA was certainly an adjustment, but Wyatt's mother loves seeing how pumped he is on a stuck landing or clean routine.
Tyndall enjoys the NCAA format, which allows him to incorporate the team mindset that he learned playing hockey as a kid.
"It's not all about you anymore," Tyndall said. "It's nice having 19 guys on a team who are all on the same page."
Several times a year, Tyndall and his brothers face off in Big Ten competitions, each competing for solid programs within the conference. In the 2019 Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll, Penn State, Ohio State and Nebraska took fourth, fifth and sixth, and each program goes neck and neck throughout the season. This adds an aspect of light-hearted competitiveness between the brothers, who each bug their parents if they aren't wearing their college's colors.
This season, Penn State topped Nebraska in competition, but lost to Ohio State. The NCAA Championships are soon approaching, set to take place April 19-20 in Champaign, Ill. This competition will be Tyndall's last, and he hopes to finish strong in Blue and White.
Tyndall enjoys seeing the familiar faces of his brothers at meets. They push each other to succeed, and are always happy for each other's successes, even if it means beating out each other's scores in competition.
For Tyndall's parents, being spectators when their sons are competing directly against one another in a dual meets or championships is a unique experience. They are proud of each of their sons, but it's tough to figure out how to equally represent each of the three schools when the boys are all in the same place at the same time.
"When I've texted them good luck, I've always said 'I'm hoping for a tie!'" Janice said.
Tyndall has contributed to the Nittany Lions in a big way, earning a victory on floor, parallel bars, and high bar last season. In the most recent home meet against Michigan and Illinois, Tyndall earned the second-highest team score on floor with a 14.050. He also added a 13.800 on high bar.
Head coach Randy Jepson is excited to see Tyndall give it his all in his final meets of the season. When Tyndall was a recruit, Jepson said it was his athleticism that set him apart. His background in hockey helped Tyndall understand sports from a team aspect, a skill Jepson said many gymnasts aren't familiar with.
Senior Wyatt Tyndall broke out the western wear to help lead the Penn State men's gymnastics team to its' third consecutive THON Pep Rally Title
"He just keeps giving and giving and giving," Jepson said. "He's a really talented guy."
After Penn State, Tyndall has considered returning to the Canadian national team as long as his body remains healthy. He previously competed for Canada at both the junior and senior levels.
"It's always special to represent something bigger than yourself," Tyndall said.
In the more immediate future, Tyndall has big plans for his final weeks in the blue and white uniform. He will finish out the season at Minnesota on March 23, followed by Big Ten and NCAA Championships throughout April.
"I hope he can go in, focus and give his best effort," Jepson said. "I know he is going to do that for his team."