The defending NCAA champion Penn State men's gymnastics team earned a spot in the NCAA team finals to be held today, by posting a 220.350 to finish third in the first qualifying session yesterday. In addition to the Lions, Ohio State and Michigan also earned a trip to the finals.

After a first-round bye, Penn State started the competition on the floor exercise. Freshman Derek Helsby began for the Lions, posting an 8.900 that the Lions would end up counting. Nissen-Emery Award finalist Luis Vargas was up third for the Lions with his first performance since tearing a ligament in his thumb vs. William & Mary on March 13. His score of 9.275 made him one of three Lions to finish the event with a 9.000 or higher. Junior Chad Buczek completed a great floor exercise with a then-session high 9.425 to lead the Lions. Santiago Lopez's score also counted, with the freshman tallying a 9.000.

When the chalk settled after session one, it would be Ohio State (220.900), Michigan (220.375) and Penn State (220.350) that would advance to tonight's NCAA team finals, which begin at 7 p.m.

On the day, defending NCAA all-around champ Vargas scored a session-leading 56.025 in the all-around.

Live results throughout the NCAA championship weekend can be found by going to GoPSUsports.com.