The Penn State women's gymnastics team will begin its postseason tomorrow in hopes of continuing the success it's had for the last four months.

The Nittany Lions travel to the Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich., where they will take on Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Michigan State and Ohio State in this year's Big Ten Championships.

"I think because the last couple years we have come in second, we have a really good shot at beating Michigan this year," sophomore Leslie Bair said. "We just need to go in with confidence and we should be able to do great."

Penn State competed in its final regular meet of the season last week in a quadrangular meet, taking second place to No. 3 Alabama in a four-team meet. Penn State's 196.650 finish has been an average score for the Lions whose RQS ranking is 196.205, giving them a No. 10 ranking in the country.

Penn State is currently ranked No. 2 in the Big Ten behind Michigan. Both the Wolverines and Penn State have gymnasts ranked in the top 10 of the nation. Sophomore Katie Rowland remains No. 1 in the all-around, while Michigan's Elise Ray is currently No. 6.

Rowland has been on the mark for Penn State almost all season long. She's competed in the all-around competition in every meet, and is only one of two gymnasts in Penn State history to have done this during her freshman campaign as well.

But Rowland isn't the only Lion bringing home the goods. The team prides itself on depth. Seniors Gemma Cuff and Maria Taylor have been solid for the Lions all year.

Cuff has been selected as a one of the six finalists for the 2001 American Award, comparable to the Heisman Trophy of women's gymnastics, and will be awarded at the NCAA Championships in April.

Taylor has been consistent for the Lions on both beam and bars, tying the school's record on the bars at 9.950. Junior Nikki Bongiovanni has been strong for the Lions on bars and beam as well.

Against Alabama she scored a 9.925 on bars and a 9.875 on beam, and continues to work to improve her difficulty on vault.

The sophomores lead the charge for the Lions with Lisa Campagnolo, Katie McAvoy, Dana Cuomo, Rowland and Bair competing in most meets for the Lions.

The team as a whole has broken record after record this season. It broke the overall team record score and the team score on each piece of apparatus and Rowland set the new individual record in the all-around with a 39.650.

But records don't mean a thing to other teams. And at the Big Ten Championships, what will matter the most is hitting their mark on that particular night.

Penn State has finished second at the tournament for the past two years. And this year, it wants that to be different.

The teams that it will have to beat are the teams that, like Penn State, have been successful all season. Michigan and Ohio State will be the biggest challenge for the Lions. Michigan has garnered a 9-7, 3-0 Big Ten record, while Ohio State has an 11-3, 3-2 Big Ten record.

"Michigan will definitely be the team to beat," Campagnolo said. "They came in here last year and beat us at home, and we saw them at the Super Six Challenge. I really think that if we go out there and do what we do in the gym, we can give them a run for the title. We just have to believe in ourselves and have fun with it. That's a big one, not put so much pressure on ourselves."

Penn State lost to Ohio State early in its season, 195.350-194.700, but the score was its third worst of the season. Ohio State's Lindsey Vagedes is also a finalist for the American Award.

Iowa (11-7, 4-2 Big Ten) beat Ohio State during the regular season, and Michigan (9-7, 3-0 Big Ten) finished directly ahead of Penn State in the Lions season opener at the Super Six Challenge in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

But when it comes down to it, no records matter. Any team can have an on or off day and that will make or break the team.

"Our goals are more related to performance and focus," Penn State women's gymnastics coach Steve Shephard said. "We want to make sure we are maintaining our focus, and not getting distracted by all the gymnastics going on around us.

We also have to contend with the byes. When we have the down time we are going to try and take the time and recharge our batteries."