Dutka roars in like a Lion in his return to gymmen

The banner hanging from the railing at the west end of Rec Hall read: "PSU Gymnastics Just Like Paradise." But for one Penn State gymnast, it was better than paradise.

Saturday's men's gymnastics meet between Penn State and Ohio State showed how dominant the Lions could have been all season long. But they had been missing one key ingredient. That was Mike Dutka.

Dutka, affectionately known as "Moose" to his teammates, swept through Rec Hall like El Niño to the California coast, gathering the all-around title (57.550) along with the pommel horse (9.8) and the parallel bars (9.8).

But Dutka's effect was felt in more than just those events. The whole Lion squad, as well as the home crowd, stood up and took notice.

Teammates chanted "Moose" before and after Dutka's events, as well as starting the "We Are Penn State" cheer. It was the team's most emotional and energetic performance at home all year. It didn't look or sound like the team that eeked out a victory against Michigan State on Feb. 7. During that meet, the Spartans were much more vocal, enthusiastic and energetic, and almost scored the upset in the process.

An upset was exactly what Penn State handed to the Buckeyes on Saturday. Ohio State was ranked fourth in the nation coming into the meet while the Lions stood right behind at fifth. But the Buckeyes were helpless against the Dutka-led Lions.

The Lions, for their part, recorded the highest team total in the nation this season, a 230.550. In Ohio State's defense, its 227.225 was better than any Penn State score this season until Saturday.

"We have a pretty strong lineup with Mike in," Penn State coach Randy Jepson said.

A jump of three points is enormous in gymnastics. The feat is more astonishing when one considers the team's season-best score was already at an impressive 227.120. The Lions with Dutka are like an Indy car with a jet engine.

But the truth is, Dutka's season was in disarray just two weeks ago. And his performance Saturday was the fruitful end of a long journey that began back in September when he traveled to Switzerland to compete in the World Championships as a member of the U.S. team.

Dutka's itinerary also called for a December trip to Australia for another international meet. The meets helped Dutka, the gymnast, but hurt Dutka, the student.

"I started to fall behind, going place to place," he said.

He never caught up, and consequently, was academically ineligible for the start of the season.

"It was horrible to watch from the stands," he said. "I had a down time, no motivation."

Penn State faculty representative John J. Coyle, meanwhile, filed a petition on behalf of the University to the Big Ten Conference Academic Progress and Eligibility Committee. Another petition was also reviewed by the Penn State Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Education.

All Dutka could do was wait, thinking he might not compete this season.

On Feb. 18, Dutka learned his fate. The news was good. The Big Ten granted him a waiver and declared him immediately eligible, just in time for the meet against Ohio State. The waiver was granted based on academic progress by Dutka. The conference recognized his fall participation in the international competitions and preparations for the Olympics.

"I'd love to be there," said Dutka, referring to the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. "I just have to keep training."

Jepson, having coached at the international level, will be an integral part of Dutka's training for the Games, and plans on making his dream a reality.

"We're really pointing him towards 2000," Jepson said, "and trying to get his routines to where they all score very high on the international level and not just the collegiate level."

But for now, Penn State is glad to have the Moose back in his natural environment.