Penn State gymnast Christian McSwain dragged her ft throughout the carpet as she headed to apply. He was flipping by means of the telephone nonchalantly along with his headphones on.
He pulled out one among his headphones with a questioning look on his face when somebody stopped him to ask him one thing.
Final Friday in entrance of a nationwide viewers on the Massive Ten Community, the sophomore scored a team-best 15.550 to take first place on the ground train towards Ohio State. The rating is without doubt one of the finest within the nation this yr and tied for seventh all-time at Penn State.
McSwain's puzzled look eased right into a smile as he realized he was being questioned about his flooring routine.
“I simply knew it was on TV and I actually wished to point out all people what I may do,” McSwain stated.
Final yr, McSwain made his collegiate debut with success on pole vault, however an damage saved him off the ground. He has continued to work on his flooring routine over the previous yr and a half and has competed in it in each match to date this season.
His arduous work lastly confirmed within the competitors final Friday.
“He was capable of come into this yr just a little extra conscious of what the expectations have been and now he's dwelling as much as them,” coach Randy Jepson stated.
Penn State went to Ohio State to face one among its largest property on the ground — senior Matt Felleman, who was out with a toe damage. That opened the door for McSwain to enter.
“It was nice to see him knock it out,” Jepson stated, “We've been working and seeing it go all through the season and he simply did an important job.”
As excited as he was concerning the success of McSwain's routine, Jepson made positive to say the tedious course of that made all of it occur.
Final yr, when McSwain got here to the workforce, he lacked physicality, in response to Jepson. He and his teaching workers pushed McSwain to extend his conditioning by way of power, muscular endurance and energy.
“The workload is much more than any of the freshmen count on after they come right here, and that was very true for Christian,” Jepson stated.
McSwain is now seeing the advantages of Jepson's health technique and couldn't be happier.
“I simply adopted Randy's plan and it appears to be understanding now,” McSwain stated.
Going ahead, McSwain has massive plans to assist his workforce win each the Massive Ten and NCAA titles. Whereas on her private to-do listing, she hopes to earn All-American titles in each pommel horse and flooring train.
In apply, McSwain stated he tries to take care of a lighthearted method. In any other case, his expertise simply received't work.
He jokes round a bit and doesn't take something too significantly, however he all the time makes positive he's centered.
“He has methods to go the place we wish him to be,” Jepson stated. “However he understands. He understands.”
Taylor Clayton might be reached at toc5203@psu.edu or (814) 865-1828. Observe her on Twitter @t_clay6.
