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"Americans were really great statisticians when it came to baseball 20 or 30 years ago, but now fans have moved more towards entertainment, such as watching these characters in the NBA." (And in case you're curious, yes, Amy can dunk a basketball.)<br>Speaking of stats, the world standard in the high jump for women is 6' 10 1/4". However, Amy believes that the women's high jump is experiencing a "changing of the guard" because jumpers hit their peak in their late 20s and early 30s, and the current world record holder is about to exceed that age range. "Right now it's pretty much wide open, and there's not really anyone who has stepped up to assume the role of the dominant jumper yet."<br><br><br>When Beauty Meets Brawn<br><br>To become the best requires commitment, so Amy approaches her sport as a full-time job. "There's only a week out of the whole year when there's no workout, and when I'm not competing I'll be running and lifting." But in the history of high jump training, Amy admits that such discipline and dedication was considered the exception rather than the rule.<br>"In the past there was more of a laissez-faire attitude toward high jump training, and a lot of the jumping workout would be occupied by sunbathing on the high jump pit," says Amy. She recalls one story of two German high jumpers who entered a competition in the 70s. When they found out that the meet was going to take several hours, they left the meet and went down to a local coffee shop and had a few cigarettes and several leisurely cups of coffee. Says Amy, "When they came back to the meet they found that they had misjudged the time and there was only one jumper left before them, so they had to warm up in a hurry. They ended up jumping pretty well because they were great natural talents, but these were athletes who really didn't take care of their bodies, and you wonder what they could have done if they had taken better care of themselves."<br>A major portion of Amy's training is thedid not have a formal strength program in her first year.&nbsp; "We didn't do Squats and Cleans but then I got a strength coach, Ed Lopez, who had a track background.&nbsp; We did Squats and Cleans from that point.&nbsp; Coach Lopez knew what to do."</P> <P>"If I were a high school coach," affirmed Coach Taylor, "I would start my players in the 7th grade.&nbsp; When people think that weights will ruin your touch, I tell them that's a myth.&nbsp; As far as losing your femininity, I believe that is changing.&nbsp; That too is a myth.&nbsp; Things are changing through education.&nbsp; Fitness is in.&nbsp; Health is in.</P> <P>"I believe sports can help your self confidence and discipline.&nbsp; Lifting weights for your sport just adds to that.&nbsp; Some people are afraid a girl could get muscle bound if they lift weights.&nbsp; Well, I have never seen that happen to my players.</P> <P>"The biggest reward in coaching is how we, as coaches, can touch people by helping them achieve their dreams.&nbsp; Helping my girls like a mother would.&nbsp; Making a positive difference when girls are at a real vulnerable and impressionable age.&nbsp; X's and O's are fine but your main job is to help people grow."</P> <P>Coach Taylor begins each practice with everyone holding hands saying the Lords Prayer.&nbsp; This is followed by a thought for the day.&nbsp; For example, Coach Taylor asked her team to comment on the thought, "Your character is your destiny."</P> <P>The Starzz are dedicated to the game and their coach.&nbsp; They are excited about the WNBA and being a part of this great pioneering effort in women's sports.&nbsp; We thank them a