The Marks file

Last update: June 21, 2008 - 7:59 PM

THE MARKS FILE

The basics: Born Aug. 24, 1980, in Bloomington, Ill. Grew up in Apple Valley and attended the University of Minnesota, earning a bachelor's degree in public relations and a master's in applied kinesiology.

Family: Husband Ron Johnson; parents Curtis and Gloria Marks; sisters Kai, Tsehaye and Kamilah.

About that name: It's pronounced SHAH-nee, and it means "beautiful gift" in Swahili.

College: Three-time All-America in triple jump; competed for the Gophers in running events. Finished second in triple jump at 2003 NCAA outdoor track championships; won five Big Ten titles in track and field. Winner of the Big Ten medal of honor in 2003. An academic All-America, finishing master's degree with a 4.0 GPA.

Post-college: Won her first U.S. title in the triple jump in 2005, when she leapt 44 feet, 9 1/2 inches to earn the national indoor championship. Earned her first U.S. outdoor title in 2006 with a jump of 45-7. Won both championships in 2007, jumping 44-6 indoors and 46-2 1/2 for the outdoor title. Finished fifth at the 2007 Pan Am Games, eighth in her qualifying round at the 2007 world outdoor championships and 16th at the 2008 world indoor championships.

Olympic dreams: Marks and her family attended the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. "I was so in awe of that whole world," she said. "When I was growing up, I always loved FloJo, with her long nails. I never felt like I would be good enough to get there, but that experience made me want it."

Shamanda or Amani? Amanda Thieschafer, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Minnesota and an elite triple jumper, has trained with Marks for nearly four years. "We spend so much time together that sometimes we feel like we're the same person," Marks said. "Sometimes at practice, one of us will say, 'Our quads are sore.' We are such good friends, I want her to jump as far as I do."

ABOUT THE MINNESOTA PROFILE

Twice each year, in summer and midwinter, the Star Tribune profiles a Minnesotan of note. Got a suggestion for a subject? E-mail Laurie Hertzel, projects editor, at lhertzel@startribune.com.

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