University Park, Pa. – Penn State men's gymnastics will travel to compete at Nebraska Saturday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. in Lincoln, Neb.
Meet Information
Date: Saturday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. EST/6 p.m. CST
Location: Lincoln, Neb. | Venue: Bob Devaney Sports Center
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3UFfYmn
Live Stats: Stat Broadcast
LAST TIME OUT
Men's gymnastics competed at the Navy Open where they placed third. The Nittany Lions saw three gymnasts win individual titles. Michael Jaroh made his season debut to take first on pommel horse with a score of 13.950. Nate Warren secured his second consecutive ring victory with a score of 13.700. Akseli Karsikas won high bar with a personal best score of 13.850. The team notched a season high score on parallel bars, collecting 65.950 points.
The team is currently ranked No. 8 in the nation. Josh Karnes is ranked No. 1 in parallel bars (14.900) and No. 5 in high bar (14.050), while Michael Artlip is tied for No. 4 in the all-around (81.400) with Noah Newfeld from California. Nate Warren sits at No. 8 in still rings (14.200).
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Nebraska is currently ranked No. 3 in the nation behind Oklahoma and Stanford. The Huskers opened their season at the Rocky Mountain Open competing against Oklahoma and Air Force on Jan. 20. The team placed second at the meet with 409.600 points.
Cole Partridge led the Huskers with a pair of third place finishes at the competition. He ranks third in the nation on high bar (14.100) and sixth in the nation on parallel bar (14.200).
Nebraska ranks in the top-five in the nation in all six events.
MEETING HISTORY
Penn State lost a close battle to Nebraska in 2023, only losing by 1.55 with a score of 398.000. Josh Karnes took first place on parallel bars with a score of 14.350 and Michael Jaroh earned first on rings with a score of 14.200.
The Nittany Lions clinched the top five finishes on still rings to claim the event win against the Cornhuskers.
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-Americas 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 offs seasons.
The team has four new faces. Freshman Bobby Alessio, Luke Esparo, Akseli Karsikas and Landon Simpson will make their collegiate debuts this season.