Gymmen Owl hunting again

Balance is what gymnastics is all about.

The No. 5 Penn State men's gymnastics team proved that last weekend at the West Point Open, edging out Temple by only .725. The team's balanced attack came from three Lions finishing in the top eight during team competition and three Lions winning individual titles, while two others took home second-place honors.

The team now gets a second try at 7 p.m. today in Rec Hall when it hosts No. 14 Massachusetts and No. 15 Temple.

"It's gonna be close," Lion coach Randy Jepson said.

He pointed to Temple faulting at the end of last week's contest which opened the door for Penn State to grab the win.

But the feat last weekend is more impressive considering the team entered into the meet without its top all-around gymnast Mike Dutka, who is academically ineligible.

"We lost a very good gymnast, hopefully we'll get him back," said senior captain Roy Malka. "Right now, we are treating it as if he's gone."

Dutka could be back, according to Jepson. A petition will be sent to the University Faculty Senate and, if passed, it will be sent on to the Big Ten. The situation is "open-ended" according to Jepson.

The loss of Dutka could have sent the team heading dizzily into the season had it not been for younger members stepping up.

The other big news this week is the addition of freshman Tobias Ekman. Ekman, who represented Sweden at the World Championships and is now eligible due to the start of the spring semester, will help add more talent and experience to the team.

Jepson told Ekman before the season began that he should expect to be in top form and ready to contribute, but Jepson is still cautious.

"I don't want to put a lot of weight on his shoulders," said Jepson.

Ekman will get to see some of the NCAA's best competition in his first meet tonight.

Another Lion Jepson expects to perform well is junior Danny Beigel, who turned in an outstanding performance at West Point. Beigel won the rings and piled up a career-best 54.15, good for fifth in the all-around.

"At this point you hoped he'd be comfortable and do these types of things," said Jepson.

Then there are freshmen roommates Rob Saliski and Ted Johnson, who finished first and second on the vault, respectively. Add freshman Adam Benas' eighth-place finish in the all-around and it seems Jepson need not worry yet.

"Adam Benas has done a nice job already," said Jepson.

Jepson also points to Brandon Stefaniak's first-place finish on the pommel horse.

"He's made large improvements from last season," said Jepson. "We need these guys to step up."

Also stepping up was Malka, who finished just .05 behind Stefaniak on the pommel horse.

Jepson knows that this meet will come down to the last event, the high bar, which he admits is one of his team's weaker events.

"It will probably come down to the last routine and the last dismount," said Jepson.

And balance.