CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Win number five of the season for Penn State men’s gymnastics came at No. 5-ranked Illinois on Saturday afternoon. The team posted nine sticks in Huff Hall to help secure the team’s 321.750-312.550 win over the Fighting Illini. With the win, No. 6 Penn State improves to 5-1 (2-1 Big Ten), while Illinois drops to 4-3 (1-2 Big Ten).
Senior Josh Karnes won three event titles, and junior Matt Underhill added one more to bring PSU’s team total to four.
“We faced a lot of adversity this trip,” said head coach Randy Jepson. “Despite all the ups and downs, the team overcame it all for a great win. Missing just one routine and adding nine sticks, the guys were really feeling it today. That being said, I think there is still even more to come. It was really great to get Karnes out there in five events today. We were also really happy with the sets from Ian [Raubal], Akseli [Karsikas], and Michael [Artlip].”
Junior Kacper Garnczarek opened the floor competition for the Nittany Lions with a season-high 13.150, and the Blue and White only improved its scores from there. Michael Artlip stuck his routine for a fifth-place overall finish while Akseli Karsikas tied for second with his 13.600. Karnes posted a 13.750 to take the event title.
An off day on pommel horse ended with only Garnczarek scoring above a 13.000 for the Nittany Lions. Illinois’s Connon Micklos won the event with a 13.300 as all other Illini finished with a 12.100 or below.
Underhill took home his fourth rings title of the season with a 13.550, and teammate Karsikas followed close behind with a season-high 13.450 routine. Ian Raubal tied for third with a 13.400. Karnes also posted a season-best score with a 13.100 on rings.
A trio of Fighting Illini tied for first on vault, with all four Nittany Lions finishing fourth through seventh. Sophomore Landon Simpson finished with a team-high 13.900 on the event.
PSU regained its footing on the parallel bars with Karnes winning his second event tittle and putting on a 13.900 routine. Raubal finished close behind with a season-high 13.800, good for second place.
The Nittany Lions only ensured victory on the high bar, grabbing three of the top four scores and sticking three of four landings. Karnes won his final event title of the day with a 13.850 on Penn State’s final routine of the afternoon. Artlip finished second with a 13.600 and a stick, just 0.150 shy of his season best, and Garnczarek closed his afternoon with a stick and season-high 13.450.
UP NEXT
Penn State returns home next weekend to play host to Nebraska in the team’s regular season finally. At the meet, PSU will honor all six graduating seniors in a ceremony, all while chasing a chance to win a share of the Big Ten regular season title on the Big Ten Network. The meet is set for Sunday, March 16 with a start time of 3:30 p.m. in Rec Hall.