Markie took time from her busy start-of-the-school-year schedule to answer 10 questions for this month's USA Taekwondo Athlete Profile...

Q1: You’re just beginning your junior year of high school. Do you have any plans for college yet or any particular areas of study you wish to pursue?

MARKIE KEELAN: I have always made plans for college. After attending Stanford Taekwondo camp this summer it sparked my interest in that school. I soon learned it had an impressive international relations program, which I hope to major in. But overall the people there were very nice.

Q2: What do you enjoy most about your dojang, Tae Ryong Taekwondo in Camarillo, Calif.?

MARKIE KEELAN: What I enjoy most about Tae Ryong Taekwondo are the people who I train with. Even though the school is big we manage to keep a very close relationship with one another, we really feel like a family. It’s a place I know I will be welcomed.

Q3: Who is an Olympian or other national-level Taekwondo athlete you would like to train with, and what is the first question you would ask?

MARKIE KEELAN: I look up and respect anyone who has made it to the Olympics or to the national-level of Taekwondo. To be able to work that hard and to go after your goals is something not everyone does in their life. It’s a great accomplishment and I hope to join them.

Q4: What are your goals in the sport of Taekwondo?

MARKIE KEELAN: My main goal is to win an Olympic gold medal for the United States. But I also hope to be a good role model for other up and coming athletes.

Q5: You’ve listed your favorite movie as 'Miracle'. What did you like best about that movie?

MARKIE KEELAN: Miracle is my favorite movie because I could easily relate to being an underdog and having to deal with people not believing in you. But it also shows you how hard work pays off. The best fighter doesn’t always win it’s who fights with the most heart that wins.

Q6: What’s your dream car?

MARKIE KEELAN: My dream car is a black Bentley.

Q7: What, if anything, are you doing differently to prepare for the Pan American Junior Championships in Aruba?

MARKIE KEELAN: The Pan American Junior Championships is a lot different then other competitions that I’ve been to because I am fighting against some of the best fighters in the world. But this time I’m not just fighting for myself I am fighting for my country.

Q8: Who has been your biggest role model?

MARKIE KEELAN: My mother has been my biggest role model because for all the hard work I put into training she puts in even more supporting me and making sure on top of everything that I’m still happy. I appreciate having my mom there with me at every tournament and always filming my fights. She’s everything to me and I hope that I can grow up in her image.

Q9: Do you have any pre-competition superstitions or rituals that you adhere to?

MARKIE KEELAN: I have a couple pre-competition superstitions. The night before I fight I never eat at a buffet. Right before I go to the staging area my mother says the same thing every time, ”go out there and have fun.” And right before my fight I listen to the Postal Service, Natural Anthem to get me warmed up.

Q10: What’s the best present you’ve ever received?

MARKIE KEELAN: The best present I ever received was from a friend from my studio. My friend gave me a bracelet during a rough time, to remind me what is really important, that I will never be alone. I wore it everyday since it was given to me. It got me through hard times when I didn’t believe in myself or other people. It was always on my wrist for me to see that no matter how bad the situation there was something better out there waiting for me. Then at Jr. Nationals ‘05 I took it off to kick pads the day before my fight and I lost it. I was upset and thought it was a sign. But my friend who had given me this bracelet was there and pointed out to me that it was just plastic and the real strength was inside of me.

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