The christmas season began with some more triumphs for Mariana.  The native of Antioquia received the honor of being inducted into the sports hall of fame in her home city of Medellín at only 19 years old, making her the youngest member of that elite group.  The honor comes just one week after Pajón finished third in the voting for Colombian athlete of the year.

"It is an honor to be part of this hall of fame next to such exelent athletes", said the queen of BMX after getting into a hall of fame in a city with some of  the most succesful athletes in the country, such as soccer player Andrés Escobar, racecar driver Roberto Guerrero, and cyclist Santiago Botero, among others.

With this prize, Mariana completes a very succesful beginning of December.  She achieved a third place voting for the most prestigous prize in Colombian sports, the Athlete of The Year, given out by El Espectador.  The winner for 2011 was track and field athlete Caterine Ibarguen, bronze medalist at the world championships in South Korea, and Gold medalist at the Guadalajara Panamerican games.  Swimmer Omar Pinzón, Gold medalist at the World Cup in Japan, was second.

Mariana, on her part, added a gold medal at the Panamerican Games, national games, and national games, and a world title in the BMX World cup.  She also stands second in the BMX world ranking.  Now the Colombian will enjoy a well deserved vacation with her family after a spectacular year.