Penn State men’s gymnastics had three athletes named to All-Big Ten teams as the squad wrapped up competition at the Big Ten Championships on April 4. Five Nittany Lions participated in seven routines during Saturday’s individual finals, with Matt Underhill earning a second-place finish on rings and securing a spot on the second team.
Kellen Ryan, a graduate student, and junior Landon Simpson were both named to the first team after their all-around performances. Senior Underhill joined them with his runner-up result on still rings. Ritam Malik began Penn State’s night by tying for ninth place on pommel horse after recovering from an early stumble to post a score of 12.850.
Ryan and Underhill closed out the rings rotation for Penn State. Ryan finished eighth with a score of 12.725, while Underhill posted a 14.075 to claim second place and All-Big Ten recognition. In vault, Ryan was sixth (13.600), and Shaun Smith narrowly missed out on a medal by finishing fourth with a score of 13.975 in his first conference championship appearance.
Akseli Karsikas also contributed strong performances, taking fifth place on high bar (13.400) and finishing eighth on parallel bars (12.825). The results mark continued success for Penn State as they prepare for upcoming national competition.
The team will have one week off before heading to Champaign, Illinois for the NCAA Championships beginning Friday, April 17, where top squads from each regional and select individuals will advance to day two of nationals.
