Monday, Jan. 27, 1997
Fired up gymmen get help from old friend
By RICH J. CRIADOCollegian Sports Writer
With the support of 10-time Olympic medal winning gymnast Vitaly Scherbo, a fired up and focused Nittany Lion gymnastics team swept Syracuse Saturday night at Rec Hall.
Jean Marc Michel performs his routine on the rings for the Nittany Lion gymnastics team. Michel was one of three Lions who paced the gymmen in a sweep of Syracuse 224-208. (Collegian Photo/Clinton Marchant - click for full size image)
The Lions, now ranked No. 3 in the country, were happy to be home.
Team captain Roemer won the all-around with a score of 55.3, leading
the team to a 224-208 win.
"We trained hard this week," he said. "There were
solid performances from everyone tonight, and it all adds up."
It adds up to a well-rested Lion team that, after traveling to
Chicago and West Point, N.Y., in the previous two weeks, was in
top shape, Roemer said.
Coach Randy Jepson said Roemer has taken a while to gain his confidence,
and now his routines are top quality because of it.
Freshman Dutka dazzled the crowd with his routines, especially
his 9.65 on the high bar, the high score for the meet. The soft-spoken
Dutka, the 1996 Junior Olympic National champion, said the team
trained hard this week and the crowd really got the team into
it.
Jepson said Dutka is a terrific talent with a bright future ahead
of him and added Penn State is privileged to have him.
Syracuse coach Walt Dodge had nothing but praise for Roemer and
Dutka.
"They are excellent athletes, and it's always good to watch
anyone perform at that level," he said.
Dodge also said everyone, not just his team, can learn from watching
such great talent.
Michel also put in a great performance with a 54.95 in the all-around,
good for second place.
"I performed closer to my potential tonight," said Michel,
who has struggled recently. "The team was much more focused
this week, and that was evident in the routines."
Jepson was very pleased by the team's performance. He said being
home helps, but the team must concentrate and stay focused because
it only gets tougher.
"While we had strong performances in parallel bar, high bar
and floor, we still made some mental mistakes which we need to
work on," he said.
Indeed, Penn State is No. 3 in the country, but there is always
room for improvement.
That's why Scherbo will be advising the team at practices as well.
Everyone had nothing but positive comments about Scherbo, who
according to Jepson, "tells it like it is."
"If you screw up, Vitaly will let you know, and that only
makes the guys better," Jepson said.
Roemer said Scherbo is an inspiration.
"He is the best in the world, no doubt," Roemer said,
"and to be is his friend means a lot."
