The Ohio State men’s and women’s gymnastics teams tumble into action tomorrow with their Mixed Pairs match up in St. John Arena.

“It’s a fun meet,” senior Megan Porter said. “The crowd enjoys it.”

The meet consists of nine co-ed pairs from both teams. After the first round, two pairs are eliminated and the seven remaining compete again. Three are cut out after the second round, and the final four face off for first place.

“It’s a real fun atmosphere,” junior Randy Monahan said.

The OSU women’s squad opens competition with high hopes and expectations. The Buckeyes finished 10-4 overall last season while finishing fifth at the Big Ten Championship, as well as the NCAA Regional Championship. OSU returns 11 letterwinners and plans to pick up where last season left off, said women’s coach Larry Cox.

“The team is very goal oriented,” he said.

Cox said the best example of OSU’s determination and drive hangs in the locker room. The question “How do you want to be remembered?” is posted on the wall in order to serve as constant motivation for the Buckeyes.

“I’d say we’re on the right track,” Porter said.

Although OSU returns a large amount of talent, the Buckeye roster boasts a mere 13 members. The smaller numbers put additional pressure on the senior class to take leadership positions, said senior Jenni Lymanstall.

“I think we have a good mix,” she said. “Each person in our (senior) class has a leadership role in some way.”

Senior Bethany Groskopf also said the seniors strive to set positive examples in the gym and the classroom.

“I want to leave with our team having more national respect,” she said.

“(I try to) build constantly within myself as well as others to make our team as best as it could be,” senior Tiffanie Janke said.

OSU’s next competition is the Intrasquad on Dec. 13. Lymanstall said the meet helps decide the line-up for the season.

“It’s a little more serious,” she said. “Less people are there because the students are gone.”

The OSU men’s squad also makes its first appearance in competition with their showing at the Mixed Pairs competition Saturday.

“(It’s a) fun opportunity for the team to get their feet wet,” men’s coach Miles Avery said.

Senior Jamie Shepard said OSU is anxious to start the season.

“We know there’s a lot of talent on the team,” he said.

The Buckeyes hit the mat ranked first in the preseason coach poll, beating out usual favorite Oklahoma for the coveted spot. The Big Ten represented well in the poll with Illinois, Michigan, Penn State, Iowa and Minnesota all in the top 10.

“It’s a good thing,” Shepard said. “(But it’s) more important what happens in April (at the NCAA Championships).”

Avery said OSU’s goals this year are similar to every other season.

“The expectation is Big Ten champions and NCAA champions if we stay healthy,” he said.

“We not only want to win, but really just dominate,” Avery said “This year is more focused on having fun. We’re just trying to have fun.”

Monahan said the emphasis on enjoying the sport came from a lesson learned the previous season.

“Last year we were really focused and really, really, really wanted to win,” he said. “It was too much pressure.”

OSU dynamics are also different from last year, Avery said.

“This year we have no superstars,” he said. “(Talent) is so spread out over this team. This team’s one of the most talented teams I have ever had.”

The Buckeyes are also building to continue the high talent level. OSU recently had two high school talents sign NCAA National Letters of Intent to attend OSU next fall.

“Recruiting is certainly one of the most important jobs of a coach,” Avery said.

The Buckeyes next meet is the Scarlet and Gray Intersquad Dec. 19 in St. John Arena.

“(Intersquad) gives us a good gauge of where we are,” Avery said.