Penn State men’s gymnastics is gearing up for a season of redemption and several standout gymnasts will be at the core of this effort. These athletes are key names to follow as the 2025 season unfolds.Big Ten Gymnasts to WatchBefore each season, the Big Ten selects two gymnasts per team to highlight as top competitors to watch that year. For Penn State, this year’s honorees are Matt Cormier and Josh Karnes.Karnes is currently the top gymnast at Penn State, and his recognition as gymnast to watch by the Big Ten only adds to his long list of accomplishments. Last season, despite the Nittany Lions falling short of a chance to compete at the 2024 NCAA Championships, Karnes went as an individual and delivered a strong performance. He earned bronze on the parallel bars and finished fifth in a stacked all-around competition.The Erie, Pennsylvania, native also competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials and has remained a consistent presence at U.S. gymnastics meets. Some highlights of his gymnastics career outside of Penn State include a second place finish on floor exercise at the 2024 Winter Cup and maintaining position on the national team.Karnes posted big all-around numbers last season, including a season-high 15.100 on parallel bars, a score that Penn State will need to replicate if it aims at competing with the NCAA best. Entering his senior year, after three seasons of success, Karnes is set to lead the Nittany Lions on the scoreboard..Cormier is heading into his fifth year at Penn State and has been a consistent competitor since his freshman campaign. He competed a total of 35 routines his first year, specifically contributing big scores on the floor. In 2022 and 2023 he grew into a solid all-around contributor for Penn State.Last season, the Milton, Massachusetts, native competed on floor, pommel horse, parallel bars and high bar for the Nittany Lions. Off the mat, Cormier’s leadership is clear. He was named team captain in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons.As a graduate student entering his final year of eligibility, Cormier has the potential to make his last season a memorable one. His recognition as a Big Ten gymnast to watch underscored his importance to the Nittany Lions’ 2025 campaign.A Veteran PresenceSimilar to Cormier, Michael Jaroh is returning for his fifth year at Penn State. Last season, he put up career highs on pommel horse and high bar as he continues to improve even as an experienced competitor.Since his freshman year, Jaroh has competed in the all-around, providing consistent scores that Penn State relies on. With the exception of floor exercise, his lowest-scoring event, Jaroh delivers strong performance across the board.Last season, he won high bar at the Big Ten Championships and took fifth in the all-around. With those results fresh in mind, Jaroh is poised to be a key contributor again in his last year of eligibility.A Rising StarPenn State has a few specialists on some key events, like Derek Schlagenhauf on pommel horse, but a key gymnast to watch this season is sophomore Luke Esparo. Even though he competes on almost every event, his talent on rings makes him a standout performer.His freshman year was filled with accolades, including three Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors, College Gymnastics Association (CGA) Rookie of the Week and CGA Regular Season All-American status.Esparo put up a season high 14.450 on rings against Michigan in March. Even though Penn State didn’t qualify to the NCAA Championships, Esparo was picked to go alongside a few teammates. There, he finished ninth on the rings even though he scored more than half a point lower than his season best with a 13.900.The Wallingford, Connecticut, native, now with a full season under his belt, could be poised for a huge year. Rings, a notoriously hard event to score big, makes his ability there imperative for Penn State.Between established competitors and younger stars, Penn State has plenty of gymnasts to keep an eye on for the 2025 season.MORE GYMNASTICS CONTENT In NCAA men’s gymnastics, Penn State holds an uncontested spot in history. The Nittany Lions… If you're interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here. Submit

In NCAA men’s gymnastics, Penn State holds an uncontested spot in history. The Nittany Lions… Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch Since his freshman year, Jaroh has competed in the all-around, providing consistent scores that Penn State relies on. With the exception of floor exercise, his lowest-scoring event, Jaroh delivers strong performance across the board.As a […]

In NCAA men’s gymnastics, Penn State holds an uncontested spot in history. The Nittany Lions…

Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch

Since his freshman year, Jaroh has competed in the all-around, providing consistent scores that Penn State relies on. With the exception of floor exercise, his lowest-scoring event, Jaroh delivers strong performance across the board.As a graduate student entering his final year of eligibility, Cormier has the potential to make his last season a memorable one. His recognition as a Big Ten gymnast to watch underscored his importance to the Nittany Lions’ 2025 campaign.Between established competitors and younger stars, Penn State has plenty of gymnasts to keep an eye on for the 2025 season.Esparo put up a season high 14.450 on rings against Michigan in March. Even though Penn State didn’t qualify to the NCAA Championships, Esparo was picked to go alongside a few teammates. There, he finished ninth on the rings even though he scored more than half a point lower than his season best with a 13.900.Karnes posted big all-around numbers last season, including a season-high 15.100 on parallel bars, a score that Penn State will need to replicate if it aims at competing with the NCAA best. Entering his senior year, after three seasons of success, Karnes is set to lead the Nittany Lions on the scoreboard..His freshman year was filled with accolades, including three Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors, College Gymnastics Association (CGA) Rookie of the Week and CGA Regular Season All-American status.Cormier is heading into his fifth year at Penn State and has been a consistent competitor since his freshman campaign. He competed a total of 35 routines his first year, specifically contributing big scores on the floor. In 2022 and 2023 he grew into a solid all-around contributor for Penn State.

A Veteran Presence

Penn State has a few specialists on some key events, like Derek Schlagenhauf on pommel horse, but a key gymnast to watch this season is sophomore Luke Esparo. Even though he competes on almost every event, his talent on rings makes him a standout performer.The Wallingford, Connecticut, native, now with a full season under his belt, could be poised for a huge year. Rings, a notoriously hard event to score big, makes his ability there imperative for Penn State.Before each season, the Big Ten selects two gymnasts per team to highlight as top competitors to watch that year. For Penn State, this year’s honorees are Matt Cormier and Josh Karnes.

A Rising Star

Last season, he won high bar at the Big Ten Championships and took fifth in the all-around. With those results fresh in mind, Jaroh is poised to be a key contributor again in his last year of eligibility.The Erie, Pennsylvania, native also competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials and has remained a consistent presence at U.S. gymnastics meets. Some highlights of his gymnastics career outside of Penn State include a second place finish on floor exercise at the 2024 Winter Cup and maintaining position on the national team.Similar to Cormier, Michael Jaroh is returning for his fifth year at Penn State. Last season, he put up career highs on pommel horse and high bar as he continues to improve even as an experienced competitor.MORE GYMNASTICS CONTENTKarnes is currently the top gymnast at Penn State, and his recognition as gymnast to watch by the Big Ten only adds to his long list of accomplishments. Last season, despite the Nittany Lions falling short of a chance to compete at the 2024 NCAA Championships, Karnes went as an individual and delivered a strong performance. He earned bronze on the parallel bars and finished fifth in a stacked all-around competition.If you’re interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here.

Last season, the Milton, Massachusetts, native competed on floor, pommel horse, parallel bars and high bar for the Nittany Lions. Off the mat, Cormier’s leadership is clear. He was named team captain in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons.