Gymnast Cooper comes back

By STEVE FEINBERG
Collegian Sports Writer

Men's gymnast Mark Cooper made a triumphant return from injury Saturday night in the Lions victory over Brigham Young and Army.

It was the last regular-season home meet for the Lions as they prepare for next weekend's Big Ten Championships in Illinois. The seniors honored beforehand were Cooper, Lee Ricketts and team captain Dave Riordan. But for Cooper, this meet carried some extra meaning.

Four weeks ago, Cooper's season looked to be over. After a career-high performance of 9.8 on the high bar the previous week, Cooper was working on his vault landings in practice. Then despair hit as the senior gymnast tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

After receiving X-rays, Cooper was originally told by doctors that his season would be cut short. The ominous prospects of major surgery awaited.

"We thought that he was finished," Lion Coach Randy Jepson said.

Some doctors said athletes in gymnastics have come back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament without surgery, Jepson added.

"Mark got healthy and strong quickly," he said. "So in events with only one landing, he said, 'I'll try it.' "

A week after the injury, Cooper was given clearance to practice again on the high bar, parallel bars and rings.

Saturday's match arrived and Cooper was given the nod to perform on the high bars.

The heavy leg brace which Cooper had worn for the past three weeks was taken off in place of a small custom brace to be worn during the routine for protection.

"I didn't pay any attention to it," he said.

The high bar was the final event for the Lions, so Cooper had to wait until the end.

His turn finally came and his routine was performed. All looked good, but it was the end which his teammates anticipated.

"We were all holding our breaths on the dismount," Riordan said.

Cooper built up the momentum needed for the dismount, released and landed cleanly. The crowd supplied a roaring ovation after Cooper's 9.65 score was shown, and the team came onto the mat to congratulate him.

"He not only had a great routine, but he hit the dismount cold which was the one part you'd think he'd have trouble with," Jepson said. "That tells a lot about the type of person he is."

Cooper himself expressed his emotion in little words.

"It was unbelievable," he said. "That's all I can say."