Cohen highlights the Penn State contingency, competing in the all-around competition, along with Helsby, while Tan will work on the rings, pommel horse, parallel bar and the high bar. Tan won the rings competition last year and not only gained a spot on the team but earned the captaincy as well.
Klurman will compete in the rings, vault, parallel and pommel horse. Carnahan and Virbitsky will both compete in the floor exercise and the vault.
"It's a great overall experience," Penn State coach Randy Jepson said. "It's nice because they get to see and compete with other gymnasts from around the country."
Jepson also said it will be a great experience for his team and hopes that a strong performance by the gymnasts will carry forward to team play next week against Illinois.
Cohen echoed the excitement of Jepson and his fellow competitors at the challenge, and hopes to build off it this weekend.
"Right now it's excitement," he said, "Tomorrow it'll be nervous, but that good kind of nervous, with adrenaline that I can build off of."
But just because it is an individual competition, Cohen said it is still his responsibility as senior captain to be there for his fellow teammates and keep them calm.
"All of these guys are good competitors," he said, "They don't put any pressure on themselves. But I keep my eye open so that if they start putting extra pressure on themselves, I can calm them down."
That quality to keep his teammates calm and focused during an important weekend could be credited to Tan, who provided the same kind of leadership to Cohen during his first trip to the Challenge his sophomore year.
"I came in that year and I was intimidated by the level of competition. He helped me to come into a meet with confidence and just do my job," Cohen said.
For those six Penn State gymnasts, their destiny may be changed by late Saturday night. It is all a matter of strong performance and a little chance.
Perfect for Vegas.
