Who knew that when I signed Mandy up for a gymnastics class at the YWCA the week after she turned 3, that 19 YEARS later she would be preparing to finish out her career competing for another NCAA championship!

Rob Travers (her coach for the first 15 years) was thrilled when Mandy turned a perfect cartwheel on her first ever attempt. He said "Oh, boy, this is going to be fun!" And it has been fun more often than not. By the time she turned 4 she was doing roundoff-back handsprings across the floor after hundreds of reps being spotted on our bed. From a very young age, she showed determination and persistence when she wanted to perfect a new skill, whether it was learning how to walk up and down steps, jump off the porch, do an aerial or a giant or a kip, etc. For years, an old sofa cushion was a permanent fixture on our den floor, for Mandy and all her friends to "do gymnastics" on. Wherever she was, she constantly performed - hip circles on the monkey bars at schools, cartwheels and handstands on the soccer field or all over Disneyworld. By the time she was 9, she broke the hearts of her swim coaches (she was the 8 & under City Champion in the 25 yd. butterfly) and her soccer coaches (she was a leading goal scorer on her team) because she wanted to devote herself full time to her first love--gymnastics.

We followed Rob to his new gym in the next town when she was ten. She finally had a real gym to work out in and a team to compete on. She competed Class 1 when she was 10. Then when USGF switched to the level system, she worked her way up to Level 10, and made the decision not to move away to go elite, but rather to work toward the goals of making the JO National Team and competing in college gymnastics. She has not regretted that decision as she was able to reach all of her goals and was able to have a normal school experience and live at home.

There were highs and lows in her club career, with the best experience being a member of the Region 8 team that won JO Nationals in 1993 at Colorado Springs. All 7 members of that team later competed in college programs and included Lissy Smith's sister Erica (of Southeast Missouri), Jenni Beathard (now of Georgia fame), Heather Kabnick (1998 graduate of Michigan), Jennifer Pokrana (now at UMass), Chrissy Vogel (a 1997 graduate of Florida), and Alabama's awesome 1997 graduate Meredith Willard. Mandy finished 5th All Around , only one tenth behind the champion. She also got 2nd on Vault and 9th on Beam.

The low point came the next November, when she had a scary fall while doing a full in dismount off bars and crashed in the pit fracturing two vertebrae in her back. We didn't know (or care) if she would ever be able to compete again. We were just so grateful that there was no neurological damage. But she wasn't finished yet, and worked very hard and was able to compete again 4 months later, just in time to qualify for the Level 10 State Meet where she became State Champion again. Unfortunately she was ill the week of regionals and was so weak she sat down both of her vaults and (again by one tenth) was the alternate for Nationals and did not get to go. Returning for her senior year she was determined to make it back to JO's and did, this time finishing 4th all around and making finals on floor and beam. She was thrilled to finally be on the JO Senior National Team and to attend a training camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for a week.

The summer before her senior year was filled with anticipation and nervousness. Because of the back injury and not going to Nationals her Junior year, we weren't sure that a top program would want to take a chance on her. Because she had been born in Athens when her father was in Law School at the University of Georgia, she had always been a Georgia fan and that was one of her top choices, along with Alabama (because of all she had heard about the program from Meredith), and UNC (because it was where Gerry and I had graduated from and it was close to home). She had offers from a few other less competitive programs as well, but she really wanted to be a part of a program that would allow her to compete at the NCAA championships. Suzanne talked to her on the phone about the possibility of being a walk-on, but Mandy immediately ruled their program out as she could tell right away that she would not be happy with their philosophy. The UNC team was not in a position to contend for a National Championship because they only give a few scholarships. So, when Sarah and David invited her down for a recruiting visit, Mandy jumped at the chance. She knew Meredith was crazy about Alabama and had had a wonderful experience there, and Mandy loved Meredith and respected her opinion. We attended a practice on a beautiful Friday afternoon in October. Kerri Strug and Larissa Fontaine were also there which was pretty intimidating. But after Mandy met Sarah and David and Scott Mackall, and watched the girls work out for a little while, she leaned over and asked me if I thought there was a phone she could use. And I said "Yes, but who do you need to call?" She replied with complete certainty and happiness, "I want to call Rob. This is where I belong. I don't care if I have to walk on. I want to cancel my other trips."

I think there were several factors in her choice. Number one, she had come from a gym with a husband/wife coaching team and felt very comfortable in the type of family atmosphere we found with Sarah and David. The girls on the team immediately made her feel welcome and like a part of the team, and the chance to compete for a National Championship year in and year out was very exciting. She knew in her heart that if she worked very hard that she could contribute on this team. With the wonderful nurturing, expert coaching, and support of the girls on the team, the Medalist Club and all the wonderful fans in the program, I know all of her dreams have been realized, probably even beyond her expectations. Being out with the foot fracture her freshman year was difficult, but made her appreciate the chance to compete even more. It was a wonderful bonus to have been awarded a scholarship after her freshman year, as well. We have been continually impressed and grateful at the way Sarah, David, and Bryan always put the health and safety of each girl as if they were their own daughters. Her growth academically has been incredible also. In high school, she seemed motivated enough to get on the honor roll, but that's about it. At Alabama, she has devoted much of her energy to excelling in the classroom as well. Cathy Elliott has been there every step of the way with guidance and support, and the girls all know the Sarah and David and Bryan value academic success as much as athletic success. We've also noticed how Mandy and all the girls on the team have developed into poised, articulate, beautiful young women who are comfortable speaking to the media, fans, and in general, conduct themselves in ways that make the parents, coaches, and the University proud. We couldn't have asked for a more wonderful college experience for our daughter. In many ways, we are sad to see it come to an end, but we know that she has many wonderful times ahead of her, and that the success and friendships that she has enjoyed at Alabama will carry her far in life. Many, many thanks to everyone in the program, and we wish you all much success in the future! Here's hoping we win another NCAA Championship this year! Roll Tide!

Linda Chapman

P.S. I wouldn't trade anything for the chance to watch the Dads' YMCA performances. Neither would they!