Any coach's dream is a versatile athlete -- one who can fill any spot in the lineup. But few athletes are capable of performing well in every position, and even fewer can hold more than one spot at the same time.

Mark Cooper is an exception. His name currently appears six times on the men's gymnastics lineup.

"This is the first year I've done all-around for the team," Cooper said. "It makes me feel good. It makes me know that I'm improving."

Competing consistently in six events is a definite sign of improvement. Cooper started his third season with the Lions at the Penn State Invitational on Dec. 10, where he scored a 53.75 in the all-around. On Jan. 15 at Syracuse, Cooper completed the all-around with a career-high 54.30. Despite solid all-around performances, he fell just short of qualifying for the USA Winter Nationals which take place in Colorado Springs, Colo., this weekend.

"It's something that I want to do, and something I will do," he said. "I just need to spend more time on my compulsories, which are a big part of the meet."

Cooper has been working hardest to raise his scores on the pommel horse and rings. Those two events require more strength than the other events.

"I've always had problems on the horse and the rings because they seem to be the most physically demanding," he said.

Lance King, who coached Cooper while he was in high school, doesn't consider the still rings to be a weak event for the junior. Cooper has a lot of flexibility which makes the rings a challenge, but he does tend to score well. It just requires more training, King said.

"If you're flexible, you tend to lack strength," King added. "For everything you've got that's positive, there's always a negative. It kind of balances out the whole sport."

However, Cooper is not the type of athlete that avoids working hard. He practices intensely and is visibly disappointed if he misses a trick. His work ethic serves as a model for the other team members.

"He's one of the hardest workers," freshman Tyson Bryant said. "Like on pommel horse -- his technique isn't the greatest, but he fights harder than anyone else on that event just to stay on his routine."

Cooper is beginning to realize that besides being a key member of the team, he is also a leader, said Lions' Coach Randy Jepson. He is a quiet leader, preferring to influence by subtle suggestion rather than with constructive criticism.

"I don't push that much energy on other people," Cooper said. "I like to lead by example. I'm not one to jump down someone else's throat."

By his own description, Cooper is self-contained. He knows what he wants to accomplish and he wants to do it efficiently.

"I like to get in and pump out my workout without stopping and just get it done as fast as I can," he said. "I don't like to spend unnecessary time in the gym."

Between hectic training schedules and attending classes, Cooper does not have a lot of time to spare. After spending three years at Penn State, he still hasn't had the opportunity to experience many student rituals -- like climbing Mount Nittany.

"I haven't really gotten to do a lot of things around town that I should do before I leave here," the Austin, Texas, native said. "I'm going to make time for (Mount Nittany) though."

To those who are afraid of heights, climbing Mount Nittany requires a lot of courage. But to someone who is used to flying over the high bar, fear is not a factor.

"He lives his life kind of like he does high bar," King said. "A little bit on the edge, but always in control."