Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/478201
hear the buzz about the team's progress throughout the off-season – in practice reports, video clips and columns like this one. That's their first opportunity to see Galt's work firsthand, when every- one is still undefeated. Even Galt this year is adding to the hype. After squat test day, he met with a dozen or so reporters and highlighted some of the winter's top performers. One name in particular seemed to fill him with admiration. "Mike Gesicki," Galt said. "He is a freak show. I mean, he is a heck of an athlete. He's done a great job. He re- minds me a lot of [former Maryland/current NFL tight end] Ver- non Davis in a lot of ways – believe it or not in that one. He's so gifted as an ath- lete, and he's one of our best workers. That's an unbelievable combination when you get that." As Galt spoke about Gesicki's work ethic, the sophomore tight end contin- ued to work out in the background, il- lustrating the truth of the coach's words. Teammates had already made their way toward the exit, spring break on their minds. Gesicki, meanwhile, was behind Galt, working a little extra. Pull-ups, straight-bar curls, military pushups – max-out squats hadn't been enough. He was only going home to Mana- hawkin, N.J., for his break, anyway, he said. He was in no rush to leave. ■ hockey sticks and a Rockettes-style kickline set to "Come on Eileen." The football team wore wigs and did back- flips to a medley of disco-era hits. The athletes were thrilled to be able to play a part in THON'S success. "Words can't describe how much this means to us," standout defensive tackle Anthony Zettel said. "These families might think we're going out of our way to do this. But honestly, every guy here on this team who's out here today is excited be- cause this opportunity doesn't come a lot, to reach out and affect people's lives." –MATT LAWRENCE THE WATER'S FINE Akeel Lynch carries one of the Nittany Li- ons' guests on his shoulders during a visit by THON fami- lies to the Lasch Building. Photo by Michelle Bixby