Lately gymnastike has had running coverage and interviews with Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy and world famous coach, Mary Lee Tracy. Much of the gymnastics community knows Mary Lee’s most recent gymnasts, but today we're highlighting Mary Lee's first elite gymnast, Amanda Borden, as this week's gymnast of the week.

Amanda began gymnastics at the young age of 7 and trained under Mary Lee Tracy for much of her gymnastics career. Amanda spent six years on the National Team where she excelled at nationals and international competitions.

Amanda’s gymnastics career began with national competitions at the junior level where she consistently placed in the top three on balance beam, floor, and vault at the 1900 and 1991 American Classic. From there she went on to compete at the U.S. Classic and U.S. Gymnastics Championships where she again found herself on the podium for floor and balance beam. Amanda continued competing at the international level as well, placing well at those meets too.

Amanada’s best showing at a national meet was in 1994 at the Coca-Cola National Championships where she placed 3^rd in the all-around, and 3^rd on bars and floor. Amanda was also on the World Championships team that won 2^nd in the team competition in 1994. Amanda continued to compete in meets after the 1994 showings and placed well in many other meets.

When the 1996 Atlanta Olympics came around Amanda competed at the Olympic Trials in Boston, Massachusetts, where she placed 5^th all-around, automatically securing her a spot on the Olympic team. Amanda went on to become captain of the 1996 team, where she held her title well and helped lead the team to the U.S’s first ever women’s gymnastics team gold medal; the team forever went down into history as the Magnificent 7.

After the summer Olympics, Amanda, along with the 6 other members of the team toured the country and appeared on numerous television shows. She went on to attend the University of Arizona and graduated with a degree in early childhood education. In May 2004 Amanda opened Gold Medal Gymnastics in Tempe, Arizona and in May 2006 Amanda married her husband Brad. In 2007, the couple welcomed their daughter, Kennedy.

While owning, operating, and coaching in her own gym, Amanda still serves as a commentator for CBS Sports, Fox Sports, and ESPN for gymnastics and cheerleading events. Amanda’s contributions to the gymnastics community do not stop there; she has a skilled named after her on balance beam, a sideways straddle jump with half turn. 

To learn more about Amanda and Gold Medal Gymnastics, click here.

Check out Amanda's routine from the 1996 Olympics. Here signature skill is at :32.