UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; November 23, 2004 - The defending national champions, Penn State's men's gymnastics team will begin the year at No. 3 nationally according to the GymInfo preseason poll. The Nittany Lions captured their NCAA-record 11th championship last year, with 2004 NCAA all-around champion Luis Vargas (Rio Pedros, P.R.) returning to lead the Lions in addition to all-Big Ten selection Chad Buczek (Bridgewater, Mass.). Oklahoma will start the season at No. 1. Penn State received two first-place votes in the poll, which ranks the Top 12 teams.

Three out of the top five schools ranked in the poll are Big Ten schools, including No. 2 Illinois, last year's defending conference champion, and No. 4 Ohio State. Michigan (No. 7), Iowa (No. 8) and Minnesota (No. 9) are also ranked in the preseason poll.

Penn State starts its title defense on Jan. 8 at Army. The home opener for Penn State is Jan. 21 vs. Navy and Temple.

 GymInfo Preseason Poll Rank Team 1st Place Votes 1. Oklahoma 5 2. Illinois 4 3. PENN STATE 2 4. Ohio State 2 5. California 6. Stanford 1 7. Michigan 8. Iowa 9. Minnesota 10. Nebraska 11. University of Ill-Chicago 12. Temple