Sometimes profound strategies aren't necessary. Gymnast J.M. Michel had the right idea: "Just do it." The men's gymnastics team has what it takes -- talent, depth and the internal drive to ignite the floor it performs on.

It's just a matter of concentration. Last weekend, the Lions inserted the missing puzzle piece and animated the sneaker slogan at the Big Ten Championships.

With undefeated Ohio State invading Rec Hall, the other teams were forced to perform in the shadow of a near-flawless Buckeye squad. The team champion seemed to be crowned in all but formality before the squads took the floor. However, aspirations for the title were not abandoned. Anything could happen. Any gymnast could miss -- unless you compete for Ohio State.

For the other teams, there were no guarantees. The remaining top spots were there for the taking. Penn State refused to let the Buckeye scarlet and gray drown out the Lion blue and white.

From the onset, Captain Jim Delaney aimed for the team to place in the top three -- just as the Lions did with a third-place finish, posting their second-highest score of the season. From start to finish, the Lions performed with intensity.

It was a complete team effort that began with eliminating the little deductions. Small steps. Minor hops. Sometimes little things can go unnoticed, but too many can be costly. This weekend the Lions appeared focused, concentrating completely until their feet hit the mat. Pride glowed from the face of Tony Pansy after nailing his dismount on rings.

The crowd erupted -- with good reason. The next gymnasts added solid routines to give the Lions their second-highest ring score this year.

They had no area of glaring weakness. The team remained consistent on vault, parallel bars and high bar, where it placed second overall. (Surprise -- right behind Ohio State). The gymnasts concluded the competition with a season-high on floor (47.3) -- an accomplishment not measurable by numbers alone.

After battling injuries ranging from his shoulder to wrist to ankle, sophomore Brandy Wood energetically tumbled his way to a career-high 9.65 on floor and tied teammate Mark Cooper for seventh overall.

Both gymnasts qualified for the finals, where Cooper took third on floor and sixth on vault. He began the season competing six events, but was later limited by ankle injuries.

Few gymnasts are strangers to injury. Dave Riordan is no exception. After suffering a knee injury last Thursday, his availability was questionable. Yet, Riordan competed with spunk.

After a disappointing fall on pommel horse, he rebounded with a team-leading rings routine. For the rest of the meet, he concentrated on each trick. Hit or miss, he remained focused.

But Riordan would be the last one to blame breaks on his knee. He's his own worst critic, refusing to settle for less than perfection.

No show runs perfectly. As Lee Ricketts approached the vault, he almost stopped after being distracted by a gymnast from the nearby bench. The loss of momentum caused him to touch his hands to the mat when he landed.

Granted a second attempt, he once again stood on the runway. This time he gave his team the thumbs-up sign and landed with only a small hop. In his first all-around competition as a Lion, Ricketts placed 18th.

Leading the Lions in the all-around was Pansy, who finished eighth with a career-high all-around score (55.8). Every event for the sophomore was solid, each scoring above a 9.0. He earned a 9.45 on high bar, an event he did not compete in for the team score.

The headliner on the high bar was Tom Ellefson. All season, the freshman has been a driving force on that event, where he led Saturday's competition with a 9.775.

Ellefson performed with a confidence that often comes only with age and experience, qualifying for the individual finals on both high bar and parallel bars.

So what's next for Ellefson and the gymnastics squad before heading to regionals on April 9? Michel may consider sneaker endorsements -- his team personified the slogan.