Gymmen take on No. 1 Ohio State

If Tigger were the Penn State men's gymnastics coach, he would have a team of bouncy, trouncy gymnasts in no time. Just imagine what a difference tops made out of rubber and bottoms made out of springs would make on floor exercises.

But Tigger is on sabbatical in the Hundred Acre Woods, so the No. 3 Nittany Lions will look to coach Randy Jepson to guide them as they travel to Ohio State (14-0) to take on the No. 1 team in the nation at 7:30 tonight in Columbus. Instead of bouncing and trouncing, Jepson will rely on clean landings and polished routines to knock off the defending national champions.

"Ohio State is a very formidable team. We're going to have to be 100 percent," Jepson said. "From the first guy who goes up on the event to the last guy, every guy is important."

The Lions (3-0) will be led by freshman Mike Dutka, who qualified for the U.S. National team last weekend at the Winter Cup Challenge. Dutka has quickly become the Lions' top gymnast, winning the all-around title in three of his five collegiate meets.

"I think it really helps. Usually you have freshmen come in and they're behind," sophomore Ron Roeder said. "With him on the team, it's like (having) another senior."

For the Buckeyes, former Olympian Blaine Wilson will lead the way. Wilson finished 10th in the all-around at the 1996 Olympic Games and is currently the top collegiate gymnast in the country. In Atlanta, Wilson was coached by Peter Kormann -- the same Kormann who is in his ninth season coaching Ohio State.

"They've always been ranked ahead of us. To be the underdog and to beat them would be great," Roeder said.

"They've got a lot of strong guys."

Because the Buckeyes are such a strong squad, Jepson said his team has to focus on hitting its own events rather than worrying about its opponents.

For Jepson, sticking landings and stepping up performances on floor exercises are keys to the meet.

"If we hit all our sets and Ohio State hits all their sets, we'll see who wins," Jepson said. "Every time you go against a No. 1 team, you want to be strong."

Despite the wealth of talent competing for the Buckeyes, Penn State should not be overwhelmed. In addition to Dutka, senior Joe Roemer, sophomore Tim Lashua and senior Jean Marc Michel proved themselves on the national stage by qualifying for the final round of 30 gymnasts of the 80 competing in the Winter Cup Challenge.

"It really shows that we have a lot of strong all-arounders," Roeder said.

"It definitely makes me feel more confident."