Once an all-around competitor, a five-event man and, more recently, a three-event man, this season team captain Kurt Schier has been forced to specialize in one event for the men's gymnastics team.

After suffering an Achilles tendon injury earlier in the season, Schier, the lone senior for the undefeated Lions, has limited himself to competing almost solely on the still rings.

"It's kind of weird for me," Schier said. "I can sympathize with what Mark (Sohn, the pommel horse specialist for the Lions) goes through. Everything comes down to 30 seconds each meet. It's kind of tough to get through because if you mess up you can't get up on another event and make up for it. It takes a different type of motivation."

Difficult or not, Schier seems to have adjusted to his new position. In the Lions' first four meets, he has improved his scores from an 8.95 to a 9.40 to a 9.45 and, finally, to a 9.65 against Navy and Temple last weekend. That score was not only a season best for Schier, but a career high as well.

"From what I've seen so far, that 9.65 is tied for one of the top scores in the country," Coach Karl Schier, Kurt's father, said. "There are going to be some changes as the season progresses, but it's going to remain up there."

While the injury has taken away from Schier's abilities to compete on other events, it has not dampened his desire to win. And, Schier says that the injury may have helped some of his teammates, even if only in an indirect way.

"I don't know if it's been a blessing for me personally," Schier said. "I know it's kind of shown the team what putting other things aside can do for you and for the team.

"One good thing about this injury is that (freshman) Doug Wilson has really come on like a champion. He was kind of unsure if he was going to compete or not, but he's done a great job already and he's really improved."

Last season, the younger Schier worked the vault and floor exercise as well as the rings for the Lions. Although he did compete on floor last weekend, earning an 8.85, Schier said that whether or not he will compete regularly in those two events depends on the daily condition of his ankle.

In the meantime, Schier is concentrating his efforts toward his ultimate goal -- All-American status.

"I don't want to have to live up to anyone's expectations, so I'm afraid to say it," he said. "I'm on track that way, though. It's going to be really hard. There's at least 15 guys in the country who can score a 9.65 or better and only eight get into the finals."

Schier is not the only person holding onto the dream of an All-American title.

"It's a dream of his, and mine too," the elder Schier said. "He's worked very hard to make that happen. I think it would be a mild surprise to an awful lot of people.

"It's pretty hairy. Only the top six on that event at the NCAAs are All-Americans."

In order to better his shot at that title, Schier has been working to make his routine the best possible.

"I'd like to see my scores go up, everyone does," he said. "Eventually I'd like to look as polished and solid as (1988 NCAA champion) Paul O'Neill did when he was here. It was noticeable how far ahead he is in front of everyone else in terms of how he looks on the rings."

For Schier, the dream of earning an All-American title began at age eleven when he began gymnastics. And like many other children, his goal was the Olympics.

"They look at the top and they don't really understand how tough it is to get there," he said. "After a while, I figured it out."

Originally he signed up for classes with a friend, with little influence from his father, a former Olympian. But after he got frustrated with the sport after a few years of lessons, the elder Schier offered a little friendly advice.

"When I quit at one point, my dad wanted me to go back into it, and I did," Schier said. "He didn't really push me. He just said that he thought I'd be better at that than at other sports I was involved in."

Although it has not been an easy road by far, Schier says now he is glad that he stuck with the sport. And from the Lions' point of view, an even better reason for Schier to stick with gymnastics is his position as team captain.

"It gets a little overloaded with everyone and they're school problems," Schier said. "But it's very fulfilling because I get to see where my experience and some of my ideas can help people out. Maybe I'll make a difference a couple of years down the road when people look at the this team and what they think about this school."

While Schier may find drawbacks with the position, his coach thinks he has filled the spot.

"This is my 25th team with 25 different seasons of captains," Schier said. "He certainly ranks right up there over the years. I've been blessed with some very strong captains. But he's right with them; among the top three that I've ever had. (He is) definitely (one of) the strongest leaders that I've seen in my years coaching."