No. 6 Men’s Gymnastics Posts Two Team-High Rotation Scores En Route to Win Over SpringfieldNo. 6 Men’s Gymnastics Posts Two Team-High Rotation Scores En Route to Win Over Springfield

No. 6 Men’s Gymnastics Posts Two Team-High Rotation Scores En Route to Win Over Springfield

PSU took home five of six event titles in the contest

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 6 Penn State men’s gymnastics defended home-territory against Springfield with a 316.700 - 308.200 victory. It was a meet filled with season-highs, career-bests, and an appearance from former Penn Stater, USA Olympian and multi-time bronze medalist, and Dancing with the Stars participant, Stephen Nedoroscik. Stellar performances by Matt Underhill, Shaun Smith, and Landon Simpson gave the Nittany Lions the upper hand.

“Today was a great test of depth,” said head coach Randy Jepson. “Due to some illness and injury, we had to ask some guys to step up. It was a great opportunity for guys like Bobby Alessio. It was great to see him come through on his events, but we can get sharper and healthier.”

On Nedoroscik’s attendance, Jepson also said, “It was awesome to have Stephen back home today. He is such a fun-loving guy, and to be able to see him come back to his alma mater and join us on the floor today was great. I know the team really enjoyed it. He brought some energy that is always welcome.”

Sophomore Brayden Erickson opened the afternoon by matching his season high of a 13.200 on floor. Kacper Garnczarek joined the rotation with a 13.250 in his first-floor appearance as a senior. Matt Underhill hit the best routine of the Nittany Lions with a 13.600, just 0.50 off his season high. Last up for the Nittany Lions was freshman Shaun Smith, who posted a 13.500. As a pack, Penn State set a new season-high of 53.550 against Springfield. Underhill’s 13.600 earned him his first event title of the afternoon.

Bobby Alessio was up first on the pommel horse, where he posted a new season high of 13.250. Garnczarek creeped up behind his season-high with a 13.600. Freshman Ritam Malik set a new career-high of 14.050, the best score for PSU on pommel. A rare miss from freshman Ricky Perez saw him earn just a 12.850, but the Nittany Lions still won the rotation by nearly a full point.

The Nittany Lions continued to claw their way towards the top of the leaderboard. Starting the rotation for the Nittany Lions was junior Landon Simpson who set a new season-high of 12.550. 

Following Simpson, Smith and Kellen Ryan scored a 12.700 and 12.900, respectively. Saving the best for last, Underhill posted a 13.700 to keep PSU up and earn him his second and final event title.

It continued to be an afternoon of dominating season records on the vault, as Penn State clinched another team-best with 56.000 on the fourth apparatus. The rotation was highlighted by Smith, who posted a 14.200 and following close behind was Simpson with 14.150. Erickson scored a season-best of 13.900, and Underhill posted a 13.750. Smith’s score topped all routines, earning him the event title.

With a five-point advantage before both bars, the Nittany Lions hunger for a win only grew. Simpson kept PSU’s momentum going, as he posted a 13.100 on the parallel bars. Another notable performance by Alessio with a 12.700 on p-bar pushed Penn State closer to the win column. Simpson’s score matched Springfield’s Blaise Rousseau for a shared event title between the two.

For the last rotation of the day, Penn State looked to close out with the meet nearly in hand. The group posted mid-12 routines, save for Garnczarek. The captain dominated with a season-high, posting a 13.600 and grabbing the final event title. Senior Will Fleck made his season debut with a 12.200 on high bar. 

 

UP NEXT

Penn State hits the road next weekend for another Big Ten match-up against Michigan on Saturday, March 7. The Nittany Lions are set to compete at 1 p.m. and action will be streamed live on B1G+.