UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - No. 7 Penn State men’s gymnastics will host No. 2 Stanford on Saturday, March 1 at Rec Hall for the team’s 800 Strong meet.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Date: March 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 – 800 Strong
LAST TIME OUT
- OHIO STATE
Despite recording 11 season-highs, the Nittany Lions were handed their first loss of the season by Big Ten foe Ohio State, 325.000-323.850.
Penn State recorded a season-high team score of 323.850. Senior Josh Karnes recorded three season-highs of his own, leading to event titles on pommel horse, parallel bars and high bar.
WINTER CUP
Penn State’s own Matt Underhill competed in the 2025 Winter Cup in Louisville, Kentucky. The junior took third on the rings, recording a two-day score of 27.000.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
No. 2-ranked Stanford most recently finished second in a tri-meet against No. 1 Oklahoma and No. 12 Greenville. The Cardinals posted a season-best score of 328.850 but were not able to overcome the top-ranked Sooners.
Stanford’s Taylor Burkhart is ranked No. 1 in the national all-around. His teammate, Asher Hong, is on the top of the still rings’ rankings, averaging a 14.500 on the event.
The Cardinal’s sent seven current athletes to the 2025 Winter Cup in Louisville, Kentucky. Colt Walker took home the title on parallel bars, while his teammate Brandon Nguyen finished second. Taylor Burkart placed fourth in the all-around race.
MEETING HISTORY
The series between Penn State and Stanford dates back to 2004, with the Nittany Lions on top 2-1.
The two teams have not met in a regular season head-to-head matchup since 2007.
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+.