UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Matt Cormier had an outstanding collegiate debut for the Penn State men's gymnastics team on Sunday, winning two individual events and adding a runner-up finish in another to help No. 5 Penn State beat No. 4 Illinois. The rookie was rewarded for his performance on Monday as he was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week.
Cormier opened his first collegiate meet with an event title, winning on floor with a score of 14.35. That would have ranked as Penn State's second-best score in the event during the shortened 2020 season.
The freshman added another victory three events later, taking first on vault with a score of 14.6. That also would have ranked as the Lions' second-best score last season.
Cormier wasn't finished there. He was one of numerous Penn State gymnasts that came through in the clutch in the final two rotations as he posted a runner-up finish on high bar with a score of 13.1. That helped the Lions erase a 1.75-point deficit in the final rotation.
Penn State, which improved to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten with the win over Illinois, is back at Rec Hall on Sunday when it hosts Nebraska. The Cornhuskers will make their 2021 debut.
