March 23, 2001, a date the members of the No. 5 Penn State men's gymnastics squad will never forget. That night, the Nittany Lions narrowly lost the Big Ten Championship in Rec Hall to Ohio State in a meet that left the Lions anxious to prove they deserved to be champs.

Since then, the Lions (5-1) have been untouchable at home, a streak that has encompassed countless milestones, including an undefeated 2003 season and victories against gymnastics powerhouses Stanford and the University of Michigan.

"The fact that we haven't lost in Rec Hall doesn't add pressure to us in any way," senior captain Duke Van Vleet said. "We consider Rec Hall our home and we won't let anyone beat us at home. If anything, competing at Rec Hall inspires everyone to do better. We want to show everyone what Penn State men's gymnastics is about and why we are the defending Big Ten champions."

Tomorrow night, the squad will aim to continue this pattern when the No. 13 Temple Owls come to town. Last season, the Lions defeated the Owls 216.950 - 207.450 on the strengths of an all-around victory by graduated Kevin Donohue and a rings crown from Kevin Tan. Tan will again be in the spotlight, as the senior remains undefeated on the still rings, with his last loss on the apparatus coming April 4, 2002, at the NCAAs. Tan, the Big Ten Gymnast of the Week, is coming off his second straight Winter Cup rings title, where he defeated top gymnasts, including Olympian Blaine Wilson.

Other leaders for the Lions will include sophomores Chad Buczek, currently ranked in the top 25 on rings and floor in the country, and Luis Vargas.

Another factor working in the Lions' favor may be the extra week of practice the majority of the squad had between the West Point Open on Jan. 30 and tomorrow's meet.

"As a team, as always, we are looking to hit routines, get through the meet safely and gain more experience to head into Big Ten's and NCAAs with confidence," junior Ed Seward said. "The extra week most of the guys had will have a positive effect on everyone. With the free weekend and rest period, everyone is ready to go out there and do our best this weekend against Temple."

-- By Kim Meyer