UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - No. 7 Penn State men’s gymnastics will host No. 6 Michigan on Saturday, February 1 at Rec Hall for the team's white out meet.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Date: February 1 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 HERE
TUNE IN
PROMO - WHITE OUT
LAST TIME OUT
Penn State advanced to 2-0 on the season with a dominant 313.900-296.200 win over William & Mary. The Nittany Lions never relinquished their lead, starting out strong with a 13.500 on floor by sophomore Akseli Karsikas.
Graduate student Michael Jaroh earned an event title on vault with a 14.100, marking a new season high. His day continued with an impressive P-bar routine, posting the top score of the meet with a 13.900.
Matt Underhill’s 14.100 on rings resulted in his fourth consecutive title on the event. The junior followed with a 13.800 on vault, propelling the Nittany Lion to earn the Gene Wettstone award, recognizing the most outstanding athlete of the meet.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
The Michigan Wolverines are coming off a season-high win over Army and Springfield College. The reigning Big Ten champs posted a 318.050 at the event, which earned them five event titles with sweeps on floor and high bar.
Standout freshman Carson Eshleman comes into the meeting with event titles on rings and parallel bars during their matchup against Army and Springfield College.
The Wolverines have two Olympians on their roster this season. Paul Juda and Fred Richard competed alongside Penn State alumnus Stephen Nedoroscik. The trio helped power Team USA to its first team medal in men's gymnastics in 16 years this past summer at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
MEETING HISTORY
The Big Ten matchup dates back to 1998, with the series tied at 14-14.
The last meeting between the two ended with a loss for Penn State. The Wolverines set a program record for their efforts, recording a team score of 425.500. Josh Karnes competed in the all around for the first time last season, earning then-career highs on both floor and rings.
2025 SEASON PREVIEW
The Nittany Lions entered their 2025 campaign ranked sixth in the College Gymnastics Association (CGA) Preseason Coaches Poll.
Head coach Randy Jepson returns for his 34th season at the helm of the program along with associate head coach Tony Beck (ninth season) and assistant coach Carlos Vazquez (13th season).
Penn State finished their 2024 season 3-3 overall and 1-3 in the Big Ten. The team has 14 returners including All-Americans Josh Karnes, Michael Artlip, and Luke Esparo.
Karnes finished the 2024 season as an NCAA Bronze Medalist following his third-place finish in the parallel bars at the national championships.
Karnes along with graduate student Matt Cormier were named Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch after stellar regular and off seasons.
The team has a new face. Graduate Student Kellen Ryan will make his debuts with the Nittany Lions, joining the program from the University of Minnesota.
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions will head on the road to Columbus, meeting Big Ten foe Ohio State on Sunday, February 9 at 1 p.m. at the Covelli Center. The match will be streamed live via B1G+.