It took 12 years for the Penn State men's gymnastics team to win its first Big Ten team championship in 2003. However, if it hopes to repeat the monumental feat this year, it needs to be prepared to face some of the stiffest competition in the country.

The five Big Ten teams hoping to dethrone the Lions, all of whom are ranked in the nation's top 12, have rosters filled with experienced gymnasts.

No. 1 Illinois (8-4, 2-2)

The Fighting Illini are looking to claim their first Big Ten team title since 1989. With home field advantage and a strong lineup including defending Big Ten pommel horse champion junior Ben Newman and five-time Big Ten Gymnast of the Week sophomore Justin Spring, the Illini will be in the running for the top spot.

"Illinois has done well at home this year so I think they have a great advantage," men's gymnastics coach Randy Jepson said. "They have great individual performers but they might not have as much depth a team like Penn State or Michigan."

No. 3 Ohio State (5-5, 2-2)

The Buckeyes have claimed three of the last four conference titles, and they return a strong lineup of experienced gymnasts, including defending Big Ten all-around champion junior Randy Monahan. Other top competitors for the Buckeyes include senior Jamey Houle, and juniors Kerry Adderly and Cody Trobough. While the Buckeyes suffered a narrow defeat to Michigan last weekend, Jepson feels they will be competitive.

No. 6 Iowa (14-6, 2-1)

The Hawkeyes have claimed six Big Ten team titles in their history, with the most recent coming in 1998 under current coach Tom Dunn. Junior Linas Gaveika is the defending Big Ten high bar champion and is currently ranked first in the country on the apparatus. In addition, the Hawkeyes already have wins over Michigan and Minnesota under their belts.

According to Jepson, the Hawkeyes are a definite dark horse this weekend.

No. 7 Michigan (8-5, 6-3)

Winners of the 1999 and 2000 Big Ten titles, the Wolverines have had a strong regular season with wins over Ohio State and Penn State. However, Jepson said, they have yet to put together their top squad for a meet, a problem much like what the Lions had all year. The Wolverines will be led by junior Geoff Corrigan, currently ranked sixth in the country in the all-around, and defending Big Ten vault champion sophomore Andrew DiGiore.

No. 11 Minnesota (2-14, 0-4)

While the Golden Gophers are at the bottom of the deep Big Ten pool, they do boost a talented lineup of gymnasts, including reigning Big Ten floor champion and 11-time All-American senior Clay Strother. The squad will also count on junior Guillermo Alvarez, who is currently ranked fourth nationally in the all-around, and was named a 2003 All-Big Ten team member.