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NEW MEXICO MILITARY INSTITUTE
HALL OF FAME
MARY BETH LARSEN 1994 JCG
Born in North Prairie, Wisconsin, in 1974, Mary Beth Larsen, along with her four sisters, spent their childhood and young adulthood in Wisconsin. She attended Mukwonago High School from 1988 through 1992, where she lettered in the track and field program all four years and was selected as co-captain her senior year. In addition, she competed in cross country and swimming, where she earned many honors.
Academically, Larsen maintained a high GPA all four years of high school, graduating near the top of her class. She added to this by participating in many extra-curricular activities including 4-H, youth group at Waukesha Bible Church and the local Pony Club.
Deciding to attend New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, New Mexico, was the next step for Mary Beth. Reporting in as a new cadet the fall of 1992, she began training in the modern pentathlon, a
multi-sport event which consists of shooting, fencing, swimming, equestrian stadium jumping and running. Graduating with the Class of 1994 with an Associate of Arts degree, she was the First Class salutatorian for the junior college division. Shortly after graduation, Larsen began training full-time for the 1996 Olympic Games, unfortunately the women were not included on the program and she resumed her college education at Marquette University. In 1996, she entered Logan College of Chiropractic, where she began her studies to become a Doctor of Chiropractic. The Olympic dream called to her again during this time and she took a leave of absence from school to again train for the pentathlon. She won the gold medal at the 1999 Pan American Games, becoming the first woman to qualify for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. At the Olympic Games, she finished fourth, just short of the bronze medal. Upon completion of the games, Larsen resumed her education and completed her Doctor of Chiropractic degree in December of 2001. Her entry into the practice of chiropractic medicine would wait while she returned to full-time training for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. At the games she placed fifteenth overall.
Dr. Larsen has been featured in multiple magazine and newspaper publications, including ESPN The Magazine, Sports Illustrated, and Brilliant magazine. She appeared on the cover of Esquire magazine in August of 2000, as one of the sexiest athletes in the nation.
Having brought credit upon herself, the Corps of Cadets and New Mexico Military Institute, she epitomizes the NMMI Credo of “Duty, Honor and Achievement”, everything that the Corps of Cadets has stood for during its illustrious history of developing accomplished leaders in society.
Inducted 20 October 2011[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
