Balancing athletics, school, and coaching responsibilities is no easy task, just ask Carmen Mann. Hard work, however, has allowed her to find success in all three.

Mann graduated Penn State in 1990 after an illustrious career with the Lady Lions' track team, but her track career is far from over. Mann returned this weekend from her first trip abroad after representing the United States in the long jump in a meet versus Great Britian. After being selected by the TAC as one of three long jumpers to compete for the U.S., she placed fourth, helping the U.S. emerge victorious. Across the seas, Mann found the indoor meet quite different than those on the homefront.

"Track in the U.S. gets no publicity,"she explained. "This was the first time I competed in front of a sold-out crowd."

As for the transportation, "It seemed like forever travelling," said Mann. Jet lag and long bus rides have left Mann in a need for sleep, but her experience in England will bring nothing but sweet dreams.

Serving two years as the Lady Lion captain, Mann racked up impressive credentials during her Penn State tenure. Mann is the owner of the Penn State long jump and triple jump records for both the indoor and outdoor seasons. During her junior year Mann earned All-American honors in the triple jump and later qualified for nationals in the long jump and heptathlon. Her value to the team was more than just physical achievements.

"Carmen was a great leader and very inspirational,"said Coach Teri Jordan. "She was talented, but she was also very positive, enthusiastic and team oriented. Her leadership qualities have carried over as a coach."

This coaching is done as a volunteer for the Lady Lion jumpers. Working with a young core, the 24 year-old lends valuable knowledge and companionship to those under her tutelage.

"I kind of work as a liason between the jumpers and the coach. I get along well with the team, we have great rapport. I'm like an older teammate."

Older teammate or young coach, either way -- Mann has become a valuable asset to the Penn State squad. A career as a coach or an athletic director looms in Mann's future as she works towards her graduate degree in Sports Administration. It would be difficult to figure the Falls Church, Va. native without track and field in her life.

"Track has been in my blood for so long," says Mann. Eleven years to be exact. Her dedication towards track began when an eighth grade injury terminated her basketball playing days. Ironically, the weak ankles which the doctor said would not support her in hoops held up just fine as she soared in track.

Basketball's loss was track and fields's gain.

Mann's relationship with track has been love and hate, but this can be expected. In high school there were many times when she thought about quitting, but her coach would listen to nothing of the kind.

"I was in a phase where if I had to do something strenuous or that would be painful, I didn't want to do it. I guess I was just lazy,"remembers Mann. Those days are gone.

"Now I am older and wiser," she laughs. "I've matured since then."

Mann frequently works out with the Lady Lions and her diet is now of what she calls "normal foods." Her focus towards the sports in needlelike, but still there are those times when frustration rears its ugly head. This season, for instance, Mann does not think she has performed to par. She will push on and work harder.

"I get frustrated a lot," explains Mann. "I get in moods where I think maybe it isn't there and maybe it is time for me to quit." She opts against quitting. Why? "I want to compete. I love track too much."

Yes, it is definitely in her blood. She continues to compete unattached, but she hopes for sponsorship in the future. Without a corporate backing, competing can become costly. As a result most of her efforts came during Penn State meets where there were open events for unattached jumpers to enter.

Looking ahead, the 1996 Summer Olympics are an appetizing possibility for Mann. She also would like to establish her longevity and compete in the Masters longjump competition. When the competing is over however, or perhaps even before, there will be a head coaching position which Mann will fit comfortably.

"Carmen is bright, articulate and hard working," touted Jordan. "She has all the qualities to be a athletic director or a coach, it's just a matter of time and experience."

How much potential does Jordan think Mann holds in this capacity?

"She may become my boss someday,"says Jordan. She is not kidding.

But for the time being, Carmen Mann will continue to compete, learn and teach.