University Park, Pa.- Penn State men's gymnastics will host No. 6 Ohio State at Rec Hall Saturday, Feb. 10 at 4 p.m.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
>> Date: Saturday, Feb. 10 at 4 p.m.
>> Location: University Park, Pa. | Venue: Rec Hall
>> Doors open at 3 p.m.
>> Admission is free
>> Spectators can find sport-by-sport parking information HERE
TUNE IN
>> Live Stats: Road to Nationals
>> Live Stream: B1G+
PROMOS - WEAR WHITE
>> Fans are encouraged to wear white to Saturday's competition.
>> Free pizza provided by the Penn State men's gymnastics Booster Club will be available for fans after the meet.
>> Kids Zone
LAST TIME OUT
Men's gymnastics opened conference competition in Lincoln, Nebraska last week where they posted a season high score of 403.200 despite losing to the Cornhuskers. The Nittany Lions compiled season best team scores on vault (71.3000) and parallel bars (67.350). Freshman Luke Esparo earned his second rings victory of the season with a career high score of 14.000. Michael Jaroh earned his second consecutive pommel horse victory with a score of 13.950. Michael Artlip tied for first on floor with a score of 14.000. Josh Karnes, Matt Cormier, and Ian Raubal swept the top-three scores on parallel bars.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Ohio State is currently ranked No. 6 in the nation with an average score of 397.633 after three meets this season. Their overall record currently sits at 3-1 and they won their last match against Arizona State 400.600-379.000. They have yet to face a Big Ten Conference opponent.
Justin Ciccon leads the Buckeyes, ranking second in the nation on vault with a season average score of 14.817. Freshman Zach Snyder was named Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week after his performance against Oklahoma and Arizona State. He earned his first collegiate win on vault (15.000) and a career high on floor (13.800).
MEETING HISTORY
In their last match up in March of 2022, Penn State fell to Ohio State 393.900-397.200. Chase Clingman had the lone event win for Penn State, winning pommel horse with a score of 13.650. Penn State is 8-6 all-time against the Buckeyes, but has lost the last two meets.
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.
