Monday, Feb. 10, 1997

Gymmen knock off No. 7 Illinois

By AARON BASTIDE
Collegian Sports Writer

CORRECTION:: The gymnastics scores were stated incorrectly. The correct scores appear throughout the story.

The Penn State gymnastics team recorded the third-highest score by any team in the nation so far this season, as it defeated Big Ten rival Illinois, 229.550-224.150, Saturday at Rec Hall.

Penn State's Mike Dutka performs on the rings during Penn State's win over Illinois Saturday night. Dutka won the all-around competition for the third time this year. (Collegian Photo/Tracy Senycz - click for full size image)

The No. 9 Nittany Lions were led by freshman sensation Mike Dutka, who won his third all-around competition of the season. Dutka won the floor exercise with a 9.7, the pommel horse with a 9.85 and the horizontal bar with a 9.8.

Penn State jumped out to a strong start on the floor exercise and led Illinois throughout the competition. The No. 7 Illini stumbled early on the pommel horse and were unable to recover.

"The first event, the pommel horse, it's killed us to this point." Illinois coach Yoshi Hayasaki said. "From then on we had to play the catch-up game."

Penn State coach Randy Jepson stressed the importance of getting out to a strong start. He said a strong performance on the floor exercise would put early pressure on Illinois.

Jepson said he was impressed with his team not only because it scored a major victory over a tough conference rival, but also because it has continued to show improvement throughout the season.

Although Illinois held the higher national ranking, the Lions felt their victory was by no means a major upset. Jepson believes his team possesses more overall talent, something that can turn the tide in a close competition.

"I think we have a little more depth than they have," Jepson said, "and that was the difference in the meet."

Besides the sparkling performance by Dutka, both Ron Roeder and Tom Ellefson turned in solid efforts.

Ellefson won the parallel bars with a 9.75.

"I'm feeling more confident every week we go out," he said.

Roeder performed well despite appearing early in Penn State's lineup. Jepson said this can be a disadvantage because it does not allow Roeder the benefit of later scoring, which can higher.

"Ron Roeder had a great meet," Jepson said. "He hit every routine he did."

Another gymnast who hit his routines was Danny Beigel, who tied a Penn State season high and won the rings with a 9.775.

The highlight of the evening, however, was unquestionably Dutka's overall performance. Despite recording a season high on the pommel horse, Dutka admitted it wasn't his best effort.

"I just kind of covered up good," Dutka said, "and wound up with a good score. I kind of made up the routine as I was going."

The Lions are looking to build on this important victory as tougher opponents await in the not so distant future. The team's next dual meet is in two weeks against No. 1 Ohio State. Next week several members of the team will be competing in the Winter Cup, a trial for the national team.

"We've got two major competitions in two weeks," Jepson said. "We've just got to build on what we've done and continue to improve."