Gymmen to face Michigan in battle of No.1 versus No. 2

By DARREN STEELE
Collegian Staff Writer

The No. 1 Penn State Nittany Lions will host the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines in a battle for men's gymnastics supremacy at 7 p.m. today in Rec Hall.

The top two men's squads will meet for the first time this season. Both teams bring a tremendous amount of talent.

No. 1 Penn State holds a 228.750 meet average. Michigan is not far behind, posting a 228.475. This will be the first powerhouse that the Lions (4-0) have faced.

"I am very excited," said coach Randy Jepson. "It is really great to be facing a strong team. I think our guys are confident in what they can do."

In recent weeks the Lions have not had to put up with such close competition. The Wolverines, however, encountered two top-10 teams last weekend when they faced No. 7 Illinois and No. 4 Ohio Sate. They split the meet, beating the Fighting Illini but coming up short against the Buckeyes.

"We felt bad about the Ohio Sate loss," said Michigan coach Kurt Golder. "Our hit percentage fell, we could have easily won that match, but we lost it in the very end."

Michigan brings a stacked roster to Happy Valley, a roster that could prove difficult for Penn State to overcome.

Michigan's Justin Toman will give Penn State's top gymnast Ron Roeder a run for his money. Toman holds the top spot on the parallel bars. Roeder is right behind him at No. 2. That leaves little breathing room for Roeder, who is surrounded by Michigan talent in the rankings. Wolverine Scott Vetere has an impressive No. 3 ranking and could easily offer a challenge to Roeder and his Penn State teammates to come out on top.

Roeder will also have to defend his No. 1 ranking on the still rings. He is joined at the top by teammate Danny Beigle, who is ranked No. 3. Michigan's best offer on the rings is Kenny Keener, who shares the No. 4 spot with Lion Dominic Brindle.

Penn State's All-American Brandon Stefaniak and No. 9-ranked teammate Josh Malecki will have their work cut out for them when they compete against Michigan's impressive team of No. 3 Josh Levin and freshman Daniel Diaz-Luong, who comes in ranked No. 5. Diaz-Luong was awarded Big Ten Athlete of the Week honors two weeks ago for posting an outstanding all-around performance.

All of the close rankings are a tribute to the fact that only three-tenths of a point separate Michigan and Penn State. Michigan holds the No. 1 spot in three of the six events, while the Lions are ranked No. 1 in two events.