Coming off a record-breaking 5-foot-5-inch jump in the high jump at the University of Washington Indoor Open, senior Mara Becker looked to literally raise the bar at the Great West Indoor Championships. Nagged by injuries, Becker managed to jump 5 feet 3 inches this weekend at the conference championships, tying for fourth place.
"Mara's performance at the Great West championships this weekend was solid," said coach Chad Pharis. "She was struggling with an injury and competed well."
Becker's competitive attitude and record-breaking jumps have allowed her to become a track star here at Seattle University. This indoor season Becker claimed personal and school records in the high jump, eclipsing her previous record of 5 feet 3 inches with her 5-foot-5-inch jump at the UW Indoor Open. Although Becker was unable to match her record at the conference championship, she still feels good about her indoor season.
"I have stepped up my game this year, and it has shown with my personal and school records," Becker said.
Becker's steady improvement over her three years at Seattle U has taken her jumps to new heights in her senior year.
"Mara's clearance of 5-foot-3-inches this past weekend was still higher than any jump coming into her senior year," Pharis said. "She is improving quickly and is setting herself up to have a stellar outdoor season to conclude her time with Seattle University."
Next on Becker's plate is the outdoor track season, where she will be poised to break outdoor high jump records. When asked about possible record breaking jumps this outdoor season, Becker said "Well I can usually get an extra inch or two more outdoors, so we'll see."
Becker's stellar performance on the track translates into the classroom as well. Becker, sports and exercise science major, will graduate this spring with a 3.5 GPA. Becker also contributes to Athletics as a student trainer. Although she spends most of her time breaking records and healing the injured, Becker finds time to break away and have fun around Seattle. On the weekends she can be found getting her groove on at a club or catching a show downtown.
This outdoor season, Becker looks to take another jump into the record books and go down as one of the most talented woman jumpers in Seattle U history.
Adam may be reached at johns113@seattleu.edu
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