Miss Nevada, Nia Sanchez has been declared as the Miss USA 2014 winner this year but there is another woman who missed winning the title of Miss USA by just a hair's breadth and she is the first runner up Miss North Dakota Audra Mari. If Sanchez now competes for the upcoming Miss Universe 2014 title then Mari will also compete for an equally important title of Miss World 2014 in the future. Also, if for some unknown reasons, Miss USA cannot perform her duties, Mari, as the first runner-up, would be expected to step in to her shoes at that moment. Find out more about this equally important contestant.

After losing the title of Miss USA 2014 to Nia, Miss Dakota is quite positive and it reflects in her messages on social media. "I did everything I could and have no regrets. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the support throughout my entire journey," wrote Mari on her Instagram account along with her picture. She did acknowledge the fact that she is "sad" but was quick to add that she believes that everything happens for a "reason."

She also revealed on Twitter that she has a "bittersweet" feeling after the pageant and "had a blast and gave it my all." Her Facebook page has been flooded with posts by well-wishers since she made it into the final 10 contestants in the pageant.

Prior to winning the title, Mari was an avid hockey player and was also good at soccer and volleyball. But the heart of a sportswoman soon converted to someone who loved glamour and she left it all and decided to start a new life of modeling and even won Miss North Dakota teen title.

Mari then went on to become the first runner-up at the Miss Teen USA pageant in 2011. The rest as they say is history. Mari was quite the popular contestant till the end of the Miss USA 2014 show and most of her fans vouched for her to win the title too. Meanwhile take a look at the Miss USA 2014 recent pictures where Mari and Nia are awaiting the final decision.

Fellow contestants embrace Miss Nevada Nia Sanchez C after she won the 2014 Miss USA beauty pageant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Fellow contestants embrace Miss Nevada Nia Sanchez (C) after she won the 2014 Miss USA beauty pageant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana June 8, 2014. Fifty-one state titleholders compete in the swimsuit, evening gown and interview categories for the title of Miss USA 2014 during the 63rd annual Miss USA competition. REUTERS/Adrees Latif
Miss Nevada Nia Sanchez is crowned by Miss USA 2013 Erin Brady after winning the 2014 Miss USA beauty pageant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Miss Nevada Nia Sanchez, a Las Vegas model, became Miss U.S.A 2014 at Baton Rouge Civic Center in Louisiana on Sunday, June 8. REUTERS/Adrees Latif
Miss North Dakota Audra Mari takes the runway during the evening gown portion of the 2014 Miss USA beauty pageant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Miss North Dakota Audra Mari takes the runway during the evening gown portion of the 2014 Miss USA beauty pageant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana June 8, 2014. Fifty-one state titleholders compete in the competition. Reuters/Adrees Lateef
Miss Nevada Nia Sanchez R and Miss North Dakota Audra Mari await the announcement of the winner of the 2014 Miss USA beauty pageant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Miss Nevada Nia Sanchez (R) and Miss North Dakota Audra Mari await the announcement of the winner of the 2014 Miss USA beauty pageant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana June 8, 2014. Reuters/Adrees Lateef
Miss Nevada Nia Sanchez reacts next to Miss North Dakota Audra Mari after she was announced as the winner of the 2014 Miss USA beauty pageant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Miss Nevada Nia Sanchez (R) reacts next to Miss North Dakota Audra Mari after she was announced as the winner of the 2014 Miss USA beauty pageant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana June 8, 2014. Reuters/Adrees Lateef
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