UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 3 Penn State men's gymnastics is set to host No. 6 Army on Saturday, January 18 at Rec Hall.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Date: Saturday, January 18 at 1 p.m.
Location: University Park, Pa. | Venue: Rec Hall
Doors open at 12 p.m.
Admission is free
Spectators can find sport-by-sport parking HERE
TUNE IN
PROMOS – Youth and Community Day
LAST TIME OUT
Penn State finished second at the 2025 West Point Open with a score of 312.750, behind Big Ten foe Ohio State. Since PSU began attending the event in 1995, the Nittany Lions have not placed lower than second.
Matt Underhill had a breakout opening to his junior season. His top finish at rings on day one of the WPO helped PSU earn its second-place finish, and advanced the Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, native to Saturday’s individual finals. Underhill cliched the Rings title on Saturday evening with a 13.650 and placed third on floor with a 13.350. The floor routine was only the third of his career.
Michael Jaroh and Michael Artlip also earned individual titles on Saturday evening. Jaroh won the parallel bars and Artlip won the floor. Newcomer Kellen Ryan competed in the All-Around in his first career NCAA competition on day one of the WPO. The graduate transfer from Minnesota finished fourth overall.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Army opened the 2025 season by hosting the annual West Point Open. The Black Knights finished fourth overall at the meet. Nick Lester led the Black Knights, placing sixth in the All-Around competition. His performance was highlighted by his strong vault, where he earned second place with a score of 13.900, qualifying for the individual finals.
Maddox Pabellon ranks fourth nationally in the pommel horse with his average score of 14.075. in the opening weekend, he claimed the pommel horse championship with the highest score of the night (14.100).
MEETING HISTORY
Penn State the last meeting won handily 393.800-370.450. Freshmen Luke Esparo and Landon Simpson made their collegiate debuts with event victories. Esparo earned himself a 13.600 on the still rings. Simpson collected a 13.650 on the pommel horse. Akseli Karsikas also made his first appearance as a Nittany Lion tying second place in the high bar (13.700).
Penn State is 48-18-1 all-time against the Black Knights.
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 stays home next weekend when the team hosts William & Mary on Saturday, January 25 at 4 p.m. in Rec Hall. The action will be streamed live via B1G+.