Adam Carton returned home to Rec Hall on Saturday night, and for the nation's top ranked men's gymnastics team, it was like he never left. The junior won the all-around and led the Lions to a 281.30-265.20 victory over Kent State.

For Carton, who decided his transfer to the University of California at Santa Barbara last year was a mistake, it was a perfect return in front of the home crowd. He hit on all six events and scored a 57.15, the highest all-around score of the year so far.

"It's great to be back," Carton said. "I was a little nervous in front of the Rec Hall crowd, but my goal was to hit on six events and I did."

"It was just terrific, Adam Carton is back and he'll be heard from," Coach Karl Schier said. "He's still getting to his old form and he can do even better."

Three other Penn State all-arounders averaged better than 9.0 on each event. Wayne Cowden (56.30), Mike Masucci (56.20) and Jamie Downer (54.70) placed second, third and fifth, respectively. Downer placed first on the floor exercise with a 9.6 and Cowden, the defending NCAA ring champion, scored a 9.8 to win the event.

Mark Sohn, the Lions' other defending NCAA champion, again did what is almost becoming routine, he scored a perfect 10 on the pommel horse. Sohn moved effortlessly through his routine and received a 10 from all four judges and a standing ovation from the crowd.

"Mark Sohn is a genius in his event," Schier said. "His routine was worth much, much more than a 10, but that is the highest he can get. If he goes through his routine without a break, he'll get a 10 every time."

"Right now I'm real confident with my routine and I have some things I'd like to add to the difficulty," Sohn said.

Despite Sohn's and Cowden's performances, Schier said the team can improve on the rings and pommel horse events. He was surprised with the team's effort on the vault, one of its weaker events.

With the 281, the Lions continue to improve their team score, even as the injuries are starting to work themselves out. Mike Reichenbach was held out of only the high bar with his healing dislocated finger. His best performance was on the vault where he placed second to Carton.

Armando Gonzalez and Rich Briggs also returned from injuries. Briggs returned on the rings to post a 9.40. Gonzalez recovered from a rash and competed in every event except the rings. He struggled somewhat, showing signs of nervousness for his first time in Rec Hall.

"Armando is a freshman and he showed some freshmanitis," Schier said. "He'll settle himself, it was just nervousness with the first home meet.

"A 280 is what I was expecting for this meet, and we went 281," Schier said. "This is good for January, but we want to get up in the high 280s for the NCAAs."

"We are going to be ready for the bigger events," assistant coach Randy Jepson said. "We have some tricks to add to boost our scores and with some consistency, we will be right on target."

The Lions are at home again next week in a double dual meet with the women's team. Because of a scheduling conflict, Navy will replace Michigan for the event.