Amanda first participated in the sport of triathlon in 2001 and later that summer became the 2001 National Age-Group Triathlon Champion.  The following summer she was named to the 2002 Collegiate Resident Team at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.  After becoming the 2002 ITU World Age-Group Champion, she was named to the US National Select team, which allowed her to live and train at the Olympic Training Center.  During the summer of 2003, she received her professional status and had two podium finishes at international competitions along with several top five finishes.  Amanda’s 2004 season was highlighted by an 8th place American finish at the Bellingham Olympic trials and an 8^th place overall finish at the Pan American Championships.  Following the 2004 Olympic Trials, Amanda returned Oklahoma to finish her medical degree and raced sparingly.  After graduating in 2006, Amanda jumped back onto the triathlon scene by winning her 1st professional title at the 2006 Memphis in May Triathlon.  In 2007 she began competing on the ITU World Cup circuit to gain experience and earn valuable Olympic Qualifying Points.  Her swimming strenght allowed her to lead most of the races from the gun and she won the swim bonus at several World Cups.  The early 2008 season was dedicated to training and racing at the Olympic Trials and World Championships.  After finishing as the 9th American at both Olympic Trials races in Tuscaloosa and Alabama, she shifted focus to some high-profile non-drafting races.  She placed 10th Lifetime Fitness Triathlon in Minneapolis and got on the podium at the Boulder Peak Olympic distance race.  Amanda raced in her first 70.3 Iroman race at Timberman where she qualified for the World Championships by placing second to Chrissie Wellington.  Her 2008 season ended successfully with a top-10 finish at the Foster Grant 70.3 Ironman World Championships!