Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME Former Notre Dame All-American pole vaulter and Olympic hopeful Mary Saxer won the title at the USA Indoor Track and Field Championship in February with a jump of 4.71 meters (15 feet, 5.5 inches), beating her personal best by one centi- meter and punching her ticket to the IAAF World Championship in Sopot, Poland, where she fin- ished eighth. Since graduating in 2009, Saxer has been com- peting in some of the top track and field competi- tions all over the world. She barely missed a berth in the London Olympics in women's pole vault after finishing in a tie for third at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials. Blue & Gold Illustrated: How did it feel clearing your personal-best height? Saxer: "It feels amazing. I knew I had that height and higher in me, it was just a matter of putting it together at a meet. "I just happened to put it together at the most perfect opportunity in time at nationals. I've been on cloud nine all week." Blue & Gold Illustrated: You barely missed berth in the London Olympics. How does that experience motivate you? Saxer: "It motivates me because I know how aw- ful it felt being so close yet so far from that dream. Last year for the world championships, I was an alternate as well. "I've been in that situation twice, so I know how hard it is and that I don't want to feel that way again. It gives me that extra boost every day." Blue & Gold Illustrated: What is a typical day for a pole vaulter? Saxer: "It depends on the time of the year. In the fall, I'm training. I'll practice for about four hours: I'll pole vault, do some gymnastic-based stuff, I'll do some running workouts, I'll do some heavy lifting, a lot of drills, just everything. "Once January hits, I compete almost every weekend through August with a little break in March." Blue & Gold Illustrated: How different is com- peting now than when you were representing Notre Dame? Saxer: "It's a lot different. I miss being a part of a team. I've improved a lot since Notre Dame, so I feel Notre Dame was a building block to where I am currently. Even though I'm not an athlete anymore there, Notre Dame is still such a big part of my life. "Actually, every meet I wear this wristband to prevent bruising and a pink Notre Dame wrist- band so I have a part of Notre Dame with me all the time." Blue & Gold Illustrated: What will be your next goal if you medal at the 2016 Olympics? Saxer: "I was just talking to my husband about that recently. If I go to Rio and medal, I think I want to continue through the 2020 Olympics. "However, I know that life happens and after 2016, I may want to start a family. But as of today, I want to go to the 2020 Olympics." — Staci Gasser Five Questions With … PROFESSIONAL POLE VAULTER AND NOTRE DAME ALUMNA MARY SAXER Click here to listen to Blue & Gold Illustrated's complete interview with Saxer. ▼ SAXER