UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Penn State men's gymnastics ties its season team high score with its 407.600-401.450 win against Michigan. The Nittany Lions took four of six event titles and notched team season highs on parallel bars (68.850) and high bar (66.050), to lift them to their first Big Ten victory of the 2023 campaign.
The team also performed well on vault with all five gymnasts scoring a 14.000 or higher.
Head coach Randy Jepson said, "Great progress today, it was great to see some guys step up. There was a lot of gritty things today, we're still far from perfect but we're excited to see how things move forward as we get down the season and head to Big Tens."
Junior captain Matt Cormier had a standout performance in tonight's competition. He took two event titles on floor with a 14.600 and vault with a 14.850. His score on vault was good for a personal best along with another personal high on parallel bars(14.000). The three-time Big Ten Gymnast of the Week also notched stick bonuses on floor and high bar. Cormier's all-around score of 81.450 landed him in second place
Jepson said, "Matt Cormier continues to lead us in a great way by example."
Sophomore Josh Karnes was the all-around champion tonight with a score of 83.750. Karnes scored a 14.050 on floor ranking him second behind teammate Cormier. He earned a first-place finish on still rings (14.100), third place and career high on vault (14.350) and a second place finish on parallel bars (14.700), also good for another personal best. Karnes landed stick bonuses on rings and parallel bars.
"Josh Karnes was outstanding, probably one of the top-five all-arounds in the country so far," said Jepson.
Chase Clingman made his return to the lineup in a big way. He is the pommel horse event champion with a score of 14.400, nearly reaching a career best mark.
Ian Raubal had another solid rings performance, earning third place with a 14.050 and a stick bonus.
UP NEXT
Four Nittany Lions will travel to the Winter Cup in Louisville, Kentucky from Feb. 24-26. The gymnasts competing in the national event are Cormier, Karnes, Michael Artlip and Michael Jaroh.
