UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Penn State men's gymnastics team and Head Coach Randy Jepson announced their latest recruiting class on Friday. The Nittany Lions will add eight new student-athletes next season as they welcome Michael Artlip, Brandon Campbell, Matt Cormier, Ethan Dick, Michael Jaroh, Andres Perez Gines, Matt Sulham, and Colin Wingrove to the team.
"Penn State Men's Gymnastics is very excited to announce our incoming recruiting class," said head coach Randy Jepson, who led the Nittany Lions to their fourth Big Ten title last season." This is without question the most talented and deep class that has been assembled in my tenure as the head coach at Penn State. All of our signees are not only outstanding athletes but consummate students, as well. I am excited to have them join our family, assimilate into our culture, and make their mark on the collegiate and international landscape in the years to come."
The following is a closer look at the eight newest members of the Penn State men's gymnastics team.
MICHAEL ARTLIP
Height: 5-6
Hometown: Bellaire, Texas
Events: All-Around
GYMNASTICS BACKGROUND
Prepped at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory and trained at the Houston Gymnastics Academy and at the Houston Gymnastics Center…Finished fifth on vault and sixth on floor at the 2019 Junior Olympics…Took fourth on vault and 16th in all-around at the 2019 U.S. Gymnastics Championships…Finished fifth on vault at the 2018 Junior Olympics Qualifier…Named a USA Gymnastics Academic All-American three times.
PERSONAL
Born Michael Vaughn Artlip in Houston, Texas, on July 17, 2002…Parents are Mark and Kathryn Artlip…Has one younger brother, John, and one younger sister, Allison…Won two district titles in diving…Plans to major in electrical engineering.
WHY PENN STATE?
I chose Penn State because the team culture, athlete support, and academic opportunities at Penn State made for a perfect fit.
BRANDON CAMPBELL
Height: 6-0
Hometown: Goffstown, N.H.
Events: Pommel Horse/Rings
GYMNASTICS BACKGROUND
Prepped at Bishop Guertin High School and trained at Gymnastics Village and at the New England Academy of Gymnastics…Led team to five top-five finishes in the state, including three state titles, as well as four regional titles…RD Men's International Team Cup Champions and Level 10 sixth place on the pommel horse…Was a two-time national qualifier.
PERSONAL
Born Brandon Sean Campbell in Manchester, N.H., on Nov. 8, 2001…Parents are Lisa Campbell and Sean Campbell…Has one younger brother, Dillon, and one younger sister, Reese…Is a Chief Master Sgt. in the Civil Air Patrol…Plans to major in accounting.
WHY PENN STATE?
I chose Penn state because of the amazing atmosphere, people, and opportunities the school offers me to accomplish my goals.
MATT CORMIER
Height: 5-6
Hometown: Milton, Mass.
Events: All-Around
GYMNASTICS BACKGROUND
Prepped at Milton High School and trained at the Massachusetts Elite Gymnastics Academy and at the American Gymnastics Training Center…Finished sixth on floor and 21st all-around at the Junior World Championships… Was the 2019 Junior Olympic National Champion on floor and vault as well as a third-place finish on parallel bars and high bar, and finished fourth on the rings and all-around…Took third on floor and 10th all-around at the 2018 Junior Olympics.
PERSONAL
Matt Allan Cormier in Geneva, Ill., on June 12, 2002…Parents are Dennis and Michelle Cormier…Has one older brother, Zachary, and one younger brother, Owen…Zachary swims at Union College…Plans to major in civil engineering.
WHY PENN STATE?
I chose Penn State because of the team environment and rich history of unparalleled success. Penn State was easily the best option for me.
ETHAN DICK
Height: 5-6
Hometown: Herald Island, Auckland, New Zealand
Events: All-Around
GYMNASTICS BACKGROUND
Prepped at Rosmini College…Competed at the Oceania Championships, helping his team take second place…Won the all-around title at the 2019 Australia and Oceania Championships…Finished fifth on floor and 11th in the all-around at the 2018 Commonwealth Games…Competed at the 2018 World Cup and the World Championships…took sixth on the pommel horse and eighth on the high bar at the 2017 Japan Junior International Championships…Was a five-time all-around champion in New Zealand.
PERSONAL
Born Ethan Paul Dick in Auckland, New Zealand, on July 25, 2000…Parents are Paul and Kathryn Dick…Has one older brother, Henry, and one younger brother, Sam…Plans to major in business.
WHY PENN STATE?
I chose Penn State because I was impressed with the athletic and academic opportunities it has to offer.
MICHAEL JAROH
Height: 5-7
Hometown: Northville, Mich.
Events: All-Around
GYMNASTICS BACKGROUND
Prepped at Connections Academy and trained at the Michigan Elite Gymnastics Academy…Won the 2018 Junior Olympic National title on the rings, second place on pommel horse, and finished third in the all-around…Took third place on the rings and the pommel horse at the 2018 U.S. Championships.
PERSONAL
Born Michael Paul Jaroh in Dearborn, Mich., on Jan. 3, 2002…Parents are Ron and Cindy Jaroh…Has a twin sister, Jessica…Father was a gymnast at Cuyahoga Community College…Uncle, Jack, was a gymnast at Eastern Michigan…Uncle, Steve Burke, played for the Dallas Cowboys…Plans to major in corporate innovation and entrepreneurship.
WHY PENN STATE?
I chose Penn State because of the welcoming feeling I got from the team and coaches, as well as the academic support I saw they offer and the beautiful campus.
ANDRES PEREZ GINES
Height: 5-8
Hometown: Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Events: All-Around
GYMNASTICS BACKGROUND
Prepped at University Gardens High School…Was a 2019 Pan-American Games all-around finalist and also competed at the 2019 Stuttgart World Championships…Was the 2018 and 2019 Puerto Rico National all-around champion…Was an all-around finalist at the 2017 Central American Games…Earned a bronze medal on the parallel bars and was a finalist on the floor and the high bar at the 2014 Youth Pan American Games…Competed in the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.
PERSONAL
Born Andres Josue Perez Gines in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, on March 11, 1998…Parents are Deyra Gines Lopez and Mario Perez Irizarry…Has one older brother, Mario, and two older sisters, Aixa and Deyraliz…Plans to major in biology.
WHY PENN STATE?
I chose Penn State because it is one of the best universities in the United States. Being able to be part of such a prestigious university is something great. I'm looking forward to developing not only as a college student, but also as a person.
MATT SULHAM
Height: 5-8
Hometown: Burke, Va.
Events: All-Around
GYMNASTICS BACKGROUND
Prepped at Lake Braddock Secondary School and trained at Broadway Gymnastics School, at Armory Athletics, and at Apollo Gymnastics…Finished fourth all-around at the 2019 Region 7 Championships…Was the runner-up all-around at the 2018 Virginia State Championships…Took third on vault at the 2017 Junior Olympics Championships.
PERSONAL
Born Matthew Valentine Sulham in Albuquerque, N.M., on Oct. 26, 2001…Parents are Clifford and Patricia Sulham…has one older brother, CJ…Plans to major in finance.
WHY PENN STATE?
I chose Penn State because I really liked the campus when I visited, I liked all the guys on the team, and the academics are held at a high standard.
COLIN WINGROVE
Height: 5-7
Hometown: Alpine, Utah
Events: All-Around
GYMNASTICS BACKGROUND
Prepped at Lone Peak High School and trained at USA Gym World, at Airtime Gymnastics, and at All-American Gymnastics…Finished seventh on rings and 15th all-around at the 2019 National Championships…Took fifth on rings and 15th all-around at the 2018 National Championships…Finished third on vault and 10th all-around at the 2017 National Championships… Was the 2016 Junior Olympic vault national champion.
PERSONAL
Born Carl Colin Wingrove in Highland, Utah, on Nov. 6, 2001…Parents are Bruce and Jaleen Wingrove…Has one older brother Cameron and three younger brothers: Alex, Spencer, and Eric…Plans to major in business.
WHY PENN STATE?
I chose Penn State because it will give me the best opportunities both athletically and academically.
