A Big 10 battle will begin between the #11 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions and the #24 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday at 4:00 in Recreation Hall in State College PA.

 

Penn State enters the contest coming off a meet where they scored the fifth highest score in school history of a 197.025. Penn State won every event and the All-Around last weekend against Michigan State. Leading the team was freshman All-Arounder Briannah Tsang who scored a 39.475. Hot on her heels was sophomore Emma Sibson, who competed for the first time in the All-Around, earning a 39.4. Other key routines to watch include Krystal Welsh’s bars, Nicole Medvitz’s beam and floor routines from Welsh, and Oni Timothy.

 

Ohio State is coming off of a 2 win weekend after competing against Bowling Green and Rutgers last weekend. While the team struggled on beam against Rutgers, the other events are very solid for the Buckeyes. Over the course of the weekend, the top score on vault was a 9.875 scored by sophomore Tenille Funchess. Rachel Abrams and Sarah Grady were able to top the mark of 9.8 on bars as they scored a 9.825 and 9.8 respectively.  Against Bowling Green, beam was actually a highlight as 3 gymnasts, Funchess, Taylor Harrison and Grady scored a 9.8 or above. Over the weekend, Alexis Mattern was able to score both a 9.875 and a 9.925 on floor, career bests for the freshman.

 

While Penn State is the favorite coming in, anything can happen at a gymnastics meet. Check back here after the meet for videos of all the routines in addition to interviews and a meet recap.