On the five hour plane ride to Los Angeles, Penn State gymnast Lisa Clark occupied herself by reading a book composed of messages and encouragement that her teammates made for her.

For the first time this season, Clark will be competing without her teammates by her side.

Participating as an individual in Los Angeles at NCAA National Championships at 1 p.m. today, though, inspires Clark to not only showcase her best performance for her own satisfaction, but with the hopes of fulfilling her teammates expectations as well.

Clark is the lone Nittany Lion competing at nationals, having to leave her teammates and most dedicated supporters behind. But if she has it her way, she won't be returning empty handed.

"I'm [at nationals] to represent Penn State with pride," Clark said. "I'm going out there to show off my stuff."

The first task Clark has set out to accomplish is to qualify for the finals, where the top eight gymnasts from each event will move on. Clark is one of 15 individuals thrown among the mix of 12 squads that will compete for the team national title. However, every team member is in contention for each of the four individual events.

Clark is confident that she can advance to the finals as long as she does what she knows she is capable of. And the pressure does not seem to be a factor as Clark said there would be no more pressure on her at nationals than there was at regionals.

"As long as I go out there and do the best that I can, which is equivalent to regionals, I know I can get the job done," she said.

Clark posted a career-high 9.95 on the vault and a 9.9 on the floor exercise, which earned her first place among all competitors at the Northeast Regionals as well as a bid to compete at the 2004 National Championships.

Although Clark and the rest of the Lions aimed at securing one of the top two spots in the team competition, they finished fourth while just .3 separated them from second-place Michigan. Now, she's competing as an individual -- something she hasn't done all year. However, Penn State women's gymnastics coach Steve Shephard and assistant coach Bill Lorenz will be coaching Clark throughout the competition.

"Lisa has potential to make it to the finals, but it will be harder without the team because she doesn't have anyone in front of her or behind her to pick her up," Shephard said.

Clark, though, has competed as an individual as a freshman at Auburn University before transferring to Penn State in August. She placed third at the Northeast Regionals with a 9.9 on the floor exercise.

Currently, Clark averages a 9.803 on the floor exercise and a team high 9.87 on the vault. She has been solid all year on the vault, finishing among the top two gymnasts in seven meets this season as well as winning the event six times.

"These are easy for her in terms of consistency, which is why she qualified for these events," Shephard said. "The vault and floor is easy for her. She just needs to do what she's been doing all year"

Between the plane ride and 1 p.m. today, Clark will be left with a lot to think about, particularly one note of inspiration from teammate Erin Clayton.

"Your talent is unbelievable, and your drive is amazing," Clayton wrote. "Bring your title back to PSU."

And if Clark has it her way, she will.