UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 6 Penn State men’s gymnastics will hit the road for the first time in almost a month compete against No. 5 Ohio State at the Covelli Center on Sunday, February 9 at 1 p.m.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Date: Sunday, February 9 at 1 p.m.
Location: Columbus, Ohio | Venue: Covelli Center
Doors open at 12 p.m.
TUNE IN
LAST TIME OUT
The Nittany Lions remain undefeated this season after a crucial win over Michigan, 319.000-313.900. Penn State recorded 11 season-high scores and took event titles on vault and high bar.
The Nittany Lions trailed through three rotations but were able to pull ahead thanks to junior Matt Underhill’s 14.200 on vault. Michigan battled back to take a one tenth lead headed into the sixth and final rotation, but Penn State soared ahead in the last rotation thanks to four season-highs on high bar.
Impressive performances on P-bars by Josh Karnes and Matt Cormier gave the Nittany Lions momentum heading into the high bar rotation. Both Karnes and Cormier recorded season-highs – Karnes with a 14.200 and Cormier with a 14.050.
Graduate student Michael Artlip boasted a stuck landing, and season-high on high bar (13.750) to propel the Nittany Lions to victory.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
The Ohio State Buckeyes are coming into the meet off their first loss of the season to No. 1 ranked Oklahoma, 322.900-316.300. The Buckeyes took event titles on pommel horse and P-bars but were not able to defeat the top ranked Sooners.
The Nittany Lions and Ohio State have already met once this season, facing off at the West Point Open, where the Buckeyes took first, followed closely by second-place Penn State.
MEETING HISTORY
Penn State owns a 21-14 edge in the all-time record against Ohio State. The Nittany Lions posted a 407.500-399.300 win in last season’s matchup while winning three of the events and hitting for 90 percent.
PSU has not lost against the Buckeye’s in a head-to-head meet since the 2022 season.
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 Cornier 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
Penn State gets a week off next week before Matt Underhill heads to the 2025 Winter Cup on Friday, February 21 in Louisville, Kentucky. The Winter Cup will also culminate in the selection of the Men’s Senior National Team to be named following the competition.