When senior Kurt Schier dismounts from the still rings tomorrow night in the men's gymnastics meet against Pittsburgh, it will mark the end of an era for Penn State.

Thirty-four years ago, present coach Karl Schier took to the Rec Hall floor for the last time as a competitor, and now his son, Kurt, will do the same.

"I have mixed emotions toward it all," the younger Schier said. "I'm excited because it's another chance to compete in front of the Rec Hall crowd -- a crowd that knows their gymnastics. I don't think I'll be sad, really. I think I've had my fill of gymnastics. It'll be a little emotional. I'll miss competing in front of the Penn State crowd most of all."

In his four years at Penn State, the State College native has steadily worked himself into an upper-class gymnast. Due to an Achilles tendon injury suffered earlier this year, Schier, the team captain, has only been working the rings and floor exercise sparingly but consistently has scored in the upper nines on the rings.

While the younger Schier may not be overly emotional about his last performance yet, others are -- especially his coach and teammates.

"I'll miss him quite a bit," the elder Schier said. "I've been coaching him in one way or another for about 22 years now. It's just been excellent having him around the gym and it's always nice to have that kind of contact with one's son. I know he's really looking forward to his last set in Rec Hall but I'll be very sorry to see him go."

"I don't know if the freshmen realize it, but the fact that this is Kurt's last meet becomes very emotional for the older guys," junior Rob Drass said. "We just want to be able to give a little extra bit for him and show him how much we appreciate him as our captain. He's done a great job all year for us. The best way to do that would be with a solid score, so we'll be helping ourselves as well as thanking Kurt."

The Panthers, who have not beaten the Lions in the 34 times the two teams have met since 1955, do not pose much of a threat to 11th-ranked PSU. Last season Penn State easily handled Pitt, 282.40-259.45. Although the Lions are shooting for a 273, considerably lower than last year's tally, Pitt is still in the 250-260 range, Coach Schier said.

While the meet may mark the end of Schier's career in Rec Hall, it will be the beginning for freshman Chris Keller. The Texas state all-around champion has been out with Epstein-Barr mononucleosis since the fall and has only recently begun to participate competitively. Keller plans to work the vault and possibly floor exercise for his first appearance in front of a home crowd.

"It's been challenging and frustrating," the freshman said. "It felt weird competing last week because I haven't done gymnastics in so long. My body keeps telling me to slow down, but I can't. I don't have the time. It feels great to be back, though."

Sophomores Mark Sohn and Adam Carton both will be using this meet to brush up their routines in preparation for next weekend's National Independent Championshps and the NCAAs, which will be held in Nebraska in the not-so-distant future. Sohn is currently ranked No. 1 on the pommel horse while Carton holds the ninth spot in the all-around, 11th on pommel horse, sixth on rings, and 14th on both vault and parallel bars. Carton is currently nursing a dislocated toe which has somewhat limited his abilities. Schier believes, however, that the injury should come around in time for the NCAAs.

"(They) are both getting to the point right now on all of their routines for the NCAAs," Schier said. "It's nice to be able to make sure they are locked in and be able to look at some routines on a competitive floor before the championships.

"Adam has added three (difficult) moves to his parallel bar routine. That's one of the events where he'd like to be better so it's good that he can work it early."

The younger Schier also would like to finish this season on the right foot -- or more accurately, both feet.

"I just want to stick my dismount," he said. "If I can do that I'll be pleased. I tend to think that I'll compete on the floor exercise because I just really want to. That's still up in the air, though."

Before leaving the team, however, Schier said that his hope for the future of the team is that it realizes its potential.

"I wouldn't trade my four years at Penn State for anything," he said. "I'm glad I've gotten involved -- not just with gymnastics but with other things, too. I encourage everyone to get involved here.

"As for the team, I just want the guys to know, whether they realize it or not, they have what it takes to win a national championship in the next two years," he said. "I hope they realize it soon."