When I was young, I was a total tomboy complete with competing against my brothers in all sports whether I was playing football, snow skiing or being the first girl in little league baseball in California. I had an eighth grade P.E. teacher who told me "don't ever become a high jumper because you will never be any good at it".  I was diagnosed as a "hyperactive and dyslexic" child who caused my parents all kinds of grief.

I was a three sport athlete (diving, soccer and track) at Menlo Atherton High School in California. I was fourth place in the State Championships my senior year jumping a best of 5�' 9 1/4". Even though I was awarded Athlete of the Year for Northern California in 1980, I received no college scholarship offers.

I competed for the University of Oregon my freshman and junior year, and gained way too much weight to high jump well. In fact, there were a few occasions I had been mistaken for a shot putter; they are not known for being tall and thin.

I left the number one college team in the nation to train for the heptathlon (seven events). In 1986 I finally started having some success. I traveled on a few USA vs. Canada trips and enjoyed the diversity of all of the events and the thrill of competing for the United States. In December of 1987 I started working with my coach Allan Hanckel.

One month before the 1988 U.S. Olympic trials, I made a qualifying mark in the High Jump by jumping 6' 1 1/2". On the drive home I had a major revelation; I could make the Olympic Team in the high jump. I knew I was about one year away from breaking into the top for the heptathlon but I felt I could make the team high jumping. I have discovered there is a huge difference between truly believing you can do something and just striving for it.

Making the Olympic Team in the high jump was one of the most thrilling, magical moments in my life. The Olympics was an unbelievable time beyond anyone's imagination and also where I met my husband of 14 years, Pat Porter, two times Olympian, eight time National Cross Country Champion, thirteen time U.S. National Champion and world record holder. Later we received our two gold medals Connor (June 1997) and Shannon (April 2001).

In 1994 I had a bad neck injury (because I was being stupid during practice) that forced me to retire. This is not what I wanted because I loved to jump, the discipline of training, and having a goal. But, as many people soon learn, it was time to grow up and move on in life. I spent years getting various therapies to alleviate my pain.

After taking eleven years off from competing a friend asked me to train and meet her at the Masters National Championships in Eugene Oregon in 2003. I spent the summer praying about it and I decided to rekindle my dream and start training again.

I had to figure out what was wrong with my neck because it still hurt after all these years. Through a long process I discovered I had multiple ligament damage all down my C-1 through C-5 vertebrae. I spent 1 1/2 years getting cross friction fiber massage and am very thankful that my neck is much better than it was before I started training.

Since my return I have jumped 5' 9 1/4", am the Indoor and two times Outdoor World Champion, World Record Holder, American Indoor Record Holder and five times U.S. National Champion for my age group.

I love competing, training and the opportunities and challenges it brings me each day. I enjoy living the dream God has placed in me and encouraging others to live their dreams too. May God Bless you and may you know that He loves you very much! You are special to Him! Have a Wonderful Day!