UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State men's gymnastics will travel to compete at the Navy Open Saturday, Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. in Annapolis, Md.
MEET INFORMATION
At the Navy Open
Date: Saturday, Feb. 20 at 2 p.m.
Location: Annapolis, Md. | Venue: Halsey Fieldhouse
Teams: Navy, Ohio State, Penn State, Springfield, William & Mary
Tickets: Free Admission
Live Stats: Road to Nationals
LAST TIME OUT
Men's gymnastics competed at the West Point Open where they won their 10th consecutive title. The Nittany Lions saw two gymnasts win individual titles. Michael Artlip won the all-around with a career high score of 81.400, which qualified him for the Winter Cup next month. Nate Warren won his first career title in the still rings with a score of 14.000.
The team is currently ranked No. 5 in the nation below Illinois, Michigan, Oklahoma and Stanford. Artlip is ranked No. 3 in the all-around and Josh Karnes ranked No. 1 in parallel bars (14.900). The Nittany Lions have won their last two meets.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Road to Nationals Rankings:
Navy: No. 7
Ohio State: No. 6
Springfield: No. 11
William & Mary: No. 14
MEETING HISTORY
Penn State took second in the 2023 Navy Open with a team score of 395.450. Michael Jaroh won the all-around with a score of 80.950. Artlip came in third with a score of 77.00.
The Nittany Lions saw two individual event winners last season. Matt Cormier took home a victory on the vault (14.750). Josh Karnes won the parallel bars (14.350).
2024 SEASON PREVIEW
The Nittany Lions enter their 2024 campaign ranked sixth in the College Gymnastics Association (CGA) Preseason Coaches Poll.
Head coach Randy Jepson returns for his 33rd season at the helm of the program along with associate head coach Tony Beck (eighth season) and assistant coach Carlos Vazquez (11th season).
Penn State finished their 2023 season 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the Big Ten. The team has 13 returners including All-Americans Josh Karnes, Matt Cormier, Michael Jaroh and Matt Underhill.
Karnes was named the CGA All-Star Competition MVP last month after being named the parallel bars champion and helping the East team win for the second year in a row.
Karnes along with sophomore Ian Raubal were named Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch after stellar regular and off seasons.
The team has four new faces. Freshmen Bobby Alessio, Luke Esparo, Akseli Karsikas and Landon Simpson will make their collegiate debuts this season.
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions will have a week off before traveling to Nebraska Saturday, Feb. 3 at 4 p.m.
