UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The fifth-ranked Penn State men's gymnastics team is set to compete at Rec Hall for the first time this season when it hosts Army West Point on Saturday at 4 p.m. Both teams opened the season last weekend at the West Point Open, with the Lions winning the title and the Black Knights taking fourth at the seven-team event.
Penn State's 403.400 score in their first weekend of competition was the fifth best in the nation and came despite the team missing multiple starters due to injury. The Lions won the team title for the seventh-straight season and took three of the six individual event titles.
Army West Point and Penn State will go head-to-head for the 62nd time in a series that began in 1932. The Lions lead 43-18-1 in the all-time series and have won 35-straight meetings. The Black Knights last win in the series came in 1962. The teams have met every season since 2001.
NEDOROSCIK SCORES 15.5
Two-time national champion Stephen Nedoroscik scored a career-best 15.5 in his first pommel horse routine of the season and went on to win the individual title at the West Point Open. It was the best pommel horse score in the nation this season by a large margin — next best is 14.2 by Nedoroscik's teammate, Nick Mock. Nedoroscik was named the CGA National Specialist of the Week for his performance.
PENN STATE RANKS FIRST ON POMMEL HORSE
The Lions rank first in the nation on pommel horse after winning the West Point Open with a 70.400. The second best is Nebraska at 67.650. In addition to Stephen Nedoroscik's 15.5 and Nick Mock's 14.2, the Lions received solid scores from Jack Baldwin (13.750), Favian Valdez (13.650) and Alex Frack (13.300).
LIONS WIN THREE INDIVIDUAL TITLES AT WEST POINT OPEN
• Penn State scored 403.400 to open the season with a title at the West Point Open, beating out six other teams, including runner-up Arizona State and third-place Navy.
• The Lions have won seven-straight titles at the West Point Open and have won nine of a possible 12 individual event titles over the last two.
• In addition to Stephen Nedoroscik's title on pommel horse, Isaac Hammett won on rings and Alex Frack took first on high bar.
• Brennan Pantazis was the all-around runner-up.
HOME OPENER WINNING STREAK
Penn State has won its home opener in 39 consecutive seasons. The last team to beat the Nittany Lions in their home opener was UIC in 1980.
2020 HOME SCHEDULE
Saturday's meet is the first of four to be held at Rec Hall this season. The Lions will host Ohio State on Saturday, Jan. 25, William & Mary on Saturday, Feb. 15, and a tri-meet with Iowa and Minnesota on Saturday, March 21.
FRACK RANKS SECOND ON HIGH BAR
Senior Alex Frack has the second-best high bar routine in the nation through the first two weeks of the season with his 14.000 at the West Point Open. Only Illinois' Hamish Carter ranks ahead of him with a 14.050.
