Athlete Focus ----- Mary Sanders

Two-time U.S. Rhythmic National Champion Mary Sanders just returned from the Pan American Games in Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic with five gold medals around her neck including the all-around and all four events.

"I'm so happy about my performance," said Sanders, who turns 18 on Aug. 26. "It's a huge relief and I couldn't be happier. I just wanted to go out there and make my coach proud and do the best I could."

Mary is from Ritmika Rhythmic Club in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and is coached by Mimi Masleva. She commented on winning all four events, saying, "This feels amazing. It's a dream come true and I think my father would be very proud."

Sanders father, Fred, started his daughter in artistic gymnastics at age 4. He was her first coach and the 1963 NCAA Champion in Trampoline. He passed away nearly 10 years ago. Mary has dual citizenship between the United States and Canada and decided in 2002 to compete for the U.S. in order to honor her fatherís memory. Mary is a five-time member of the Canadian National Gymnastics Team and two-time Canadian National Champion. Her goal is to work hard, make her father proud and to someday compete in the Olympic Games.

Mary, who just returned from her trip to the Pan American Games, is excited for three days off from training but then her hard work starts again. She leaves August 26 for Holland for a Grand Prix Competition, then directly to Spain for a World Cup competition, then to Bulgaria for a training camp and finally sheíll head to Hungary for the Rhythmic World Championships, Sept. 19-29.

"I'll be gone for an entire month on my European Tour," said Sanders. "I'm excited. It will be a great long trip."

Sanders is the only daughter of Jaci Sanders. She has two older brothers, Matt and Mike. Her favorite subject in school is English and she enjoys reading Shakespeare.

Mary plans to finish her senior year of high school by January 2004 and will begin a university in September 2004. "I'd like to go into psychology, but Iím not sure what I want to do yet," said Sanders.