MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Penn State men's gymnastics team went 0-2 at the final Big Ten meet of the regular season as they scored a 398.200 to host Minnesota's meet-winning 410.950, and Iowa's 406.350, on Saturday afternoon.
The Nittany Lions finished the regular season with a 16-4 overall record and a 2-4 Big Ten record.
Penn State opened the meet on the pommel. While they were without Stephen Nedoroscik, who was traveling back from Doha, Qatar and his first international competition, the Nittany Lions saw Jack Baldwin hit a season-best 13.800. Favian Valdez added a 13.450. Michael Burns tacked on a 12.100, and Nick Mock scored a 11.650 and Alex Frack scored a 11.500 to bring the team total to 62.500.
They then headed to the rings where Noah Roberson scored a 14.300 to lead the squad, which tied for second in the meet. Both Parker Clayton and Greg Tamargo scored 13.900 and tied for fourth, while Brayden Borromeo added a 13.450. Burns wrapped up the rotation with a 13.300.
On Floor, Brennan Pantazis tied his season-high with a 14.200, which was good for second on the day, and Chris Sands added a 13.500. Valdez scored a 13.450 on his second event of the day, and Wyatt Tyndall added a 13.250. Sam Zakutney scored a 12.300.
Through three events, Penn State trailed both Minnesota, 202.500, and Iowa, 201.950, with a score of 198.050.
On the parallel bars, Zakutney scored a team-high 14.100 and earned a third-place finish and Wyatt Tyndall followed with a 14.050 for fourth. Burns had a strong performance, recording a 13.950 on his routine. Pantazis scored a 13.200, while Alex Thomason scored an 11.150. Penn State scored a 66.450 on the rotation.
On high bar, senior Chris Sand led the way with a 13.250, while Tyndall added a 12.900. Valdez scored a 12.850 and Burns tacked on a 12.750. Zakutney wrapped up the event with a 11.300. Penn State scored a 63.050 on high bar.
Pantazis scored a career-high 14.650, finishing third, on vault to lead the Nittany Lions. Tyndall scored a 14.200 for a season-best score, and Brayden Borromeo added a 14.100 routine. Clayton added a 13.950, while Valdez, who subbed in for Zakutney, scored a 13.750. Penn State scored a 70.65 on the vault to close out the meet. The Nittany Lions scored a 70.650.
Penn State has a week off before heading to the Big Ten Tournament in Iowa City, Iowa on April 5-6.
