Mary Alexander Class: Junior Hometown: Spartanburg, S.C. High School: Broome Last College: Spartanburg C.C. Height: 5-4 Event: Distance Major: Biology

Before USC Upstate: Helped Broome win the state cross country championship as a senior and finish as runners-up in 2004 ... Earned SCHSL All-State status in 2005 after placing eighth individually ... A two-time all-region performer in cross country and was a member of the state runner-up 3,200-meter relay team in track and field ... Beta Club President as a junior and senior ... Member of the Literary Club, German Club and Spanish Club ... Attended Spartanburg Community College for two years and was president of the Science Club.

Personal: Born on Nov. 15, 1987 ... Daughter of Myles and Loretta Alexander ... Has a younger brother, Michael, and a younger sister, Jacqueline ... Father, Myles, is an adjunct professor in the Department of Languages, Literature and Composition at USC Upstate ... A biology major ... Favorite food is spaghetti ... Favorite TV show is "The Big Bang Theory" ... Favorite actress is Nicole Kidman ... Admires distance running legend Steve Prefontaine ... Wants to be a physical therapist.