It is not every day that collegiate gymnasts get the chance to qualify for international competition.

But three Penn State gymnasts will get that chance at the two-day USA Winter Cup. The meet starts at 7 p.m. today in Colorado Springs, Colo.

The Lions who qualified for the Cup are juniors Tony Pansy and Brandy Wood and sophomore Tom Ellefson.

"I just basically want to go in and hit all of my routines," Pansy said. "How it comes out, it comes out. Hopefully, I'll make part of the national team."

The gymnasts will compete in the all-around competition and are trying to earn a spot on the national team, which would allow them to compete internationally for the United States.

The top seven finishers are reserved for the World Championship Team. The next 10 join the top seven on Team '96 for a total of 17 members -- they compete in the compulsories today and the optionals tomorrow. Team 2000 consists of the next 12 finishers, who only compete in the optionals tomorrow.

"It is very competitive," said Men's Gymnastics Coach Randy Jepson. "We are talking about the best gymnasts in the U.S. I think Tony, should he perform well, has a chance to make that team. Brandy and Tom will have to put in very good meets to make it, as it is so competitive."

Despite their performances so far this season, it has been rough for both Wood and Pansy in preparing for this weekend. Wood has a sore shoulder but is ready for the meet.

"I just have to make sure that I'm well-rested because all of us are fatigued from all of the meets lately," he said.

Pansy is suffering from back spasms and has been unable to train all week.

"We are hoping that it will clear up by the time the meet comes around," Jepson said. "He is showing progress but it's been slow. Unfortunately, he is not at the top of his game."

They are not the only Lion gymnasts suffering. The rest of the team has been banged up as well.

"If there is any time that you want to be hurt, it is early in the season," Jepson said. "We can rebound from some of the injuries we've had."

While Ellefson, Pansy and Wood are in Colorado, Jepson will be trying to cover some problem areas the team has had. The Lions will continue to build their consistency and try to stay healthy, Jepson said.

Even though two of the three Lion gymnasts were still suffering from minor injuries yesterday, Jepson is confident all three gymnasts will do well.

"It's a great experience for them," Jepson said. "It's great for Penn State to have three individuals in the meet."

In the most recent NCAA men's gymnastics rankings, Penn State is third as a team, behind New Mexico and Brigham Young.

Individually, Pansy is fourth in the all-around (57.0); tied for eighth on floor (9.7), parallel bars (9.65), and pommel horse (9.65); seventh on vault (9.35); and tied for ninth on high bar (9.65).

Wood is 15th on high bar (9.6), tied for 19th on floor (9.55) and tied for 20th on parallel bars (9.4).

Ellefson is first on high bar (9.9), tied for fourth on pommel horse (9.75), and 13th on parallel bars (9.5).