Gymmen trio look to take Lone Star state by storm

Hakeem. Troy. Nolan. All have made a name for themselves in Texas.

This weekend, three members of the Penn State men's gymnastics team plan to do the same at the Winter Cup Challenge in Crosby, Texas.

Danny Beigel, Ron Roeder and Adam Benas are the three gymnasts chosen by Penn State coach Randy Jepson to compete in the USA Gymnastics event.

"It's an important meet as far as recruiting and support of the U.S. gymnastics program," Jepson said.

The 74-man field will include Blaine Wilson, Chainey Umphrey and John Roethlisberger, three members of the 1996 Olympic team.

The open competition will be judged differently from the NCAA scoring system. Instead of a .6 bonus as required by the NCAA, gymnasts will have to add 1.4 bonus to their routines, just as in international scoring.

"Basically, it's like an international event," Jepson said.

But there will be more to challenge the gymnasts -- specifically the all-around.

Beigel and Benas have not competed in the all-around as many times this season as Roeder, but for Benas, he's looking forward to the challenge.

"I feel pretty psyched," Benas said. "It'll be back to what I'm used to."

For Benas, the all-around is not that unfamiliar, having competed in the event as a member of the Junior National team. But at Penn State he's been competing regularly on the floor exercise, high bar, vault and parallel bars.

"As a freshman, it's going to be more of a learning experience," Beigel said about Benas. "All he has to do is go in and be solid and make a name for himself."

That will be the same goal for Beigel.

Beigel said he plans on finishing in the top three on rings. A repeat of his season high on rings, a 9.8, could land him there.

Beigel may not compete in the floor exercise due to tender ankles, but that is still to be decided. He is sure of one thing, however.

"I'm going with an attitude that I'm not out to prove anything to anybody," Beigel said. "But to prove something to myself."

The contrast of the meet's format from the NCAAs also excited Beigel.

"You're out for the individual, there is no team," he said.

That doesn't mean he won't be watching out for two of his best friends, Roeder and Benas.

"Myself is my first concern, but they are a close second," he said.

Roeder should do fine, however. He competed in the event last year, finishing 12th during the first day, but falling to 21st the second day of competition. Roeder said the experience last year will help him this weekend.

"I've seen about the whole competition," he said. "I know what to look for."

Besides the increase in talent, Roeder said the gymnasts can bank on lower scores. Due to the more stringent international scoring, Roeder plans on showing the judges more skills and a higher difficulty.

And if they meet their expectations this weekend in Texas, the gymnasts might come home simply known as Adam, Danny and Ron.