Huskers Set to Host Penn State in Home Opener

Lincoln, Neb.- The No.6 Nebraska men’s gymnastics team is set to host their first home meet of the season against No. 5 Penn State. The meet will take place on Feb. 7 at 4 p.m. (CT) at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The meet is available to stream on Big Ten Plus.

The Huskers have not had a meet at home since March 21, 2025, when they lost to the Michigan Wolverines. The Big Red is hungry for a home meet win. 

In honor of the late Jim Hartung, the Nebraska Huskers will distribute 500 commemorative posters celebrating the life and legacy of a true gymnastics icon. Hartung, who passed away on January 10, 2026, dedicated 21 seasons to the Huskers as an assistant coach. His successful career began as a student-athlete, where he became Nebraska’s first-ever Nissen-Emery Award winner in 1982. He also represented the United States as a two-time Olympian. He helped lead Team USA to its first and only gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Hartung was more than a coach to many of his athletes and the people around him. He was a Husker legend whose impact will be felt for years to come. 

Last Time Out
Nebraska lost to Ohio State with a score of 316.300-313.050. Nebraska had six athletes receive career-high scores, and those athletes included Max Odden, Sam Rakita, Wyatt Reynolds, Nathan York, Anthony Koppie, and Luke James. NU also had four event title winners. York won pommel horse, Asher Cohen won rings, James won vault, and Odden won high bar.

Scouting the Competition 
Penn State beat Illinois in their last competition with a score of 316.800-311.000. PSU scored above a 52.000 on all rotations except one. They had three event title winners in their last outing. Luke Esparo won the rings, Landon Simpson won on parallel bars, and Akseli Karsika won on high bar. As a team, Penn State is ranked third on pommel horse, second on still rings, and third on parallel bars. 

Quick Notes 
Luke James made his season debut at the dual against Ohio State. He competed on both floor and vault.  
Nebraska leads with a 39-37 record over Penn State. 
Alex Nitache and Max Odden will be competing in the Winter Cup in Louisville, Ky., on Feb. 20-22 alongside graduates Taylor Christopulos and Chris Hiser. 
Nebraska is ranked number one in the country for vault.
Nathan York is the top-ranked athlete in the country on floor exercise.
Last year, NU lost to PSU in their dual meet by 0.2. The final scores were 329.050-328.850.
Max Odden received CGA Co-Gymnast of the Week during week four.