Cooper Ausbern carries Mannford across his chest like it means everything, because to him, it does. A senior balancing baseball and basketball, he’s the kind of athlete who measures his days in effort, not hours. First base, third base, pitcher, it doesn’t matter where he’s needed. What matters is finishing the job.

“It means everything to me. I care about my teammates and the Pirate name on my chest.”

That mindset didn’t come easy. Summers weren’t for rest; they were for repetition. Long days in the heat, swings taken until his hands stung, lessons learned the hard way. Determination became routine.

“It takes determination and plenty of summers to get better every day.”

His freshman year gave him a moment he still carries, a home run in districts against rival Cleveland. The crack of the bat, the silence before the crowd erupted, it was proof that the work was paying off.

But behind the moments is pressure, the kind that doesn’t fade when the game ends. His dad expects a lot, and Cooper feels it every time he steps on the field.

“I don’t want to let my family down… especially my dad.”

Still, that expectation helped shape him into who he is, focused, driven, and accountable. It’s the same push he shares with teammates like Hagen Anderson, where competition builds respect, and respect builds success. And with players like Fred Giles, whose grit shows up in bunts, stolen bases, and diving plays, Cooper is reminded that effort comes in many forms.

Off the field, he’s part of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Club, and credits teacher Angie Spradlin for sparking something unexpected, a love for reading that changed how he sees the world.

“Dedication means you can’t go to sleep until your work is done for the day.”

For Cooper, being a student-athlete isn’t about recognition. It’s about responsibility to his team, his family, and himself. And every time he steps onto the field, he’s proving he’s ready to carry it.