TicketsFeb. 22, 2007
-- Most aspiring athletes train their whole lives in hopes of competing at the national and international level. But former Bearcat track star Mary (Danner) Wineberg only started running as an extra-curricular activity in the 7th grade.
"In middle school one of my best friends just mentioned that she would be running track and asked if I might be interested in it. I just kind of went out and the coach at the time saw this tall and kind of lanky girl and it just started from there."
She didn't think that the running would become a big deal, but little did she know about 15 years later she would be hitting the national and international stage.
Mary, a native of and a graduate of , knew from the start that UC was the only place for her.
"I didn't really look at any other colleges besides Xavier and they don't even have a track team, so yes I knew UC was going to be where I would go and run. I also wanted to be close to home near my mother."
Mary dominated the track throughout college, setting indoor and outdoor school records that still stand today, and continued to train and compete at an elite level following her graduation in 2002 (B.S. Education).
"The difference in training was the most difficult transition. In college you train hard, but once I got out of school and I was able to see the other girls at the elite level, I knew I had to change some things in my training. I needed to practice a little harder and the mental aspect is totally different then when you are in college."
Mary continues to train with her husband, former Bearcat All-American decathlete and current UC assistant track coach Chris Wineberg, in the mornings and then trains in the afternoons with head women's track coach Jim Schnur.
During the 2006 indoor season, Mary was a silver medalist in the 400 meters at the Indoor World Championships in and also finished second in the U.S. Indoor Championships. Mary will be competing in the AT & T U.S. Indoor Championships on Feb. 24-25 in , the world's oldest indoor track and field championship. The conclusion of the event will be televised nationally on ESPN2 on Feb. 25 from 4-6 p.m.