Spartans' mistakes prevent comeback

By JENNIFER SCHOENFELD
Collegian Sports Writer

After Penn State's men's gymnastics team grabbed an early lead, Michigan State found it hard to come back last Saturday, losing 228.95-218.65. Spartan Coach Rick Atkinson was very disappointed with the outcome of the meet.

"I can handle misses," Atkinson said. "I can handle mistakes, but I can't handle stupid gymnastics, and that is what my team had --stupid gymnastics."

Even with three of the six Lion gymnasts falling off the high bar, the Lions were still able to trample Michigan State.

Sophomore J.M. Michel led off the high bar event and fell. Then junior Brandy Wood did the same. A few routines later, freshman Roy Malka began his performance and soon fell.

"We hit our routines until the last events," Lion Coach Randy Jepson said. "I am not sure what happened because we are usually a good high bar team. I was really surprised when Roy and Brandy fell. But everyone is entitled to fall off sometime."

This was Michel's first time competing in high bar this season. He made the lineup after senior Mark Cooper tore his anterior cruciate ligament over a week ago.

"I am new for this competition. I was not fully concentrating because it was a different atmosphere then I am used to," Michel said of the double-dual meet with the Lady Lions.

The first four events gave the Lions a strong lead, which lasted throughout the meet.

Junior Tony Pansy scored his career-high all-around score (57.7) and placed first in pommel horse (9.7), vault (9.45) and high bar (9.8), second on floor (9.55) and rings (9.6) and third on the parallel bars (9.6).

Also leading the Lions were Wood, who placed first on floor (9.85); Michel, who placed first on rings (9.7); and sophomore Tom Ellefson, who placed first on parallel bars (9.75) and tied for second on high bar (9.75) with Lion senior Lee Ricketts, who also placed second on pommel horse (9.6).

Despite falling off the pommel horse, Ellefson was pleased with his performances as well as those of his teammates.

"I was in a bit of a slump, but I am coming back," he said. "As for the team, I think there is a good chance we could be national champions. Each meet is better and better, and we are real solid. We are 200 percent improved over last season."

Jepson wants the gymnasts to focus on their routines and avoid the "mental lapses" that sometimes set in.

"Even though we did lose focus on the parallel bars and the high bar, everything is falling into place for us," he said. "We were challenged and we did well."

Leading the Michigan State team was Joe Duda, who placed fourth in the all-around (55.2) and second on the parallel bars (9.65).