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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The seventh-ranked Penn State men's gymnastics team opens the 2020 season this weekend as it travels to Army for the West Point Open. The prelims of the event will be held on Friday at 7 p.m., while the finals will take place on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Fifteen Penn State gymnasts will be in action at the season-opening event, which will feature seven teams. The Nittany Lions will compete against Arizona State, Army, Navy, Springfield College, Temple, and William & Mary.
This weekend will mark the 29th year of the West Point Open. It will be held in two facilities – the Holleder Center and the Lou Gross Sports Center.
TICKETS
Fans have the option of purchasing an all-session pass, which admits fans to both Friday and Saturday's action for $25, or an individual session pass for $15 with a discount for youth and seniors at $10.
Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.GoArmyWestPoint.com/tickets, in person at the Army West Point Ticket Office at Gate 3 of Michie Stadium or by calling 1-877-TIX-ARMY.
PARKING
- For competition at the Holleder Center spectators should park at A & F lots.
- For competition at the Lou Gross Sports Center, parking is adjacent to the parking lot G up the hill from the Holleder Center.
FROM HEAD COACH RANDY JEPSON
"We're excited to kick off the season with another West Point Open. I'd like to say we are healthy and at full strength, but we're really not. Unfortunately, we will have several guys sitting out and resting to heal some injuries, but we still hope to vie for a team title and hope to get some individual titles and individual finals appearances. It should be an exciting weekend."
SUCCESS AT THE WEST POINT OPEN
Penn State has won six-straight team titles at the West Point Open and has won 21 of the 28 titles overall. The Lions won the team title and all six individual titles last season. Sam Zakutney led the way, taking first all-around and on floor exercise, high bar and parallel bars. Favian Valdez won on pommel horse for the first time in his career.
IN THE POLLS
Two teams at this weekend's event made the top 10 in the 2020 College Gymnastics Association Preseason Coaches Poll. Penn State is the top-ranked team at No. 7, while Navy comes in next at No. 10. The Lions were ranked eighth in the nation when they won the West Point Open last season.
NITTANY LIONS ARE DEFENDING BIG TEN CHAMPIONS
Penn State is coming off a 2019 season in which it won its fourth Big Ten title. The Lions were picked fourth in the preseason poll but went on to win with a score of 410.350, finishing ahead of runner-up Illinois (410.100). The Lions were picked fourth in the preseason poll again this year.
INDIVIDUAL ACCOLADES ON THE ROSTER
Penn State has two NCAA individual titles on the roster (Nedoroscik, pommel horse, 2x), six All-America honors (Nedoroscik 3x, Zakutney 3x), three Big Ten individual titles (Nedoroscik, Brennan Pantazis, Zakutney), and four All-Big Ten honorees (Parker Clayton, Nedoroscik, Pantazis, Zakutney). They are led by three-time National Coach of the Year and four-time Big Ten Coach of the Year, Randy Jepson.
PENN STATE INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Stephen Nedoroscik and Sam Zakutney each added to their international competition resume over the summer. Nedoroscik advanced to the finals at the Cottbus World Cup in Germany, while Zakutney also competed in Germany at the World Championships in Stuttgart. Head coach Randy Jepson coached at the University World Championships in Naples, Italy. Additionally, Andres Perez Gines joins Penn State this season after spending time with Team Puerto Rico. He also competed at the Stuttgart World Championships.
UP NEXT
The Lions will hold the first of four home meets at Rec Hall this season when they host Army West Point on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 4 p.m. The Black Knights are ranked 12th in the nation
