UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State men's gymnastics will host Army in their season opener Friday, January 5 at 7 p.m. in Rec Hall.
MEET INFORMATION
>> Admission is free.
>> Doors open 60 minutes before scheduled start time.
>> Fans are asked to park at the Nittany Deck and the West Deck for men's gymnastics matches. Fans without a valid permit are encouraged to prepay for the event parking at a discounted rate of $6.00 through ParkMobile - https://psu.parkmobile.io/.
2024 SEASON OUTLOOK
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.
SCOUTING ARMY
Army is under new direction with head coach JD Reive. Before coming to West Point, Reive led Iowa to a Big Ten Regular Season Championship in 2018 and was named CGA Coach of the Year.
Last season the Cadets posted an overall record of 3-6 and 2-1 in conference. Army finished fourth at the ECAC Championships in 2023. The team returns All-American in the all-around and All-ECAC first teamer Joseph Buselmeier and ECAC Rookie of the Year and Specialist of the Year Maddox Pabellon.
The Cadets come into the season ranked 11th in the CGA Preseason Coaches Poll.
MEETING HISTORY
Penn State opened the 2023 season with a victory over Army, 402.900-378.300. The Nittany Lions lead the all-time series 35-17-1. The team has won the last 17 consecutive meets including 16 at home.
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions will match up against the Cadets again next weekend Jan. 12-13 at the West Point Open.
