Pennridge senior Marissa Sheva has committed to compete in both soccer and track at Penn State University.
Marissa Sheva – Penn State University (Soccer & Track)
Major: Engineering
Final list of colleges: Penn State, North Carolina State, Stanford, Kentucky, UNC, Tennessee
Reasons for choosing Penn State: “I think PSU has the perfect atmosphere for student-athletes to achieve more. The academic and athletic recourses are endless, and the coaches place a big emphasis on education.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in both soccer and track at the collegiate level? “I never really thought about not playing sports in college. I knew from the time I was little that I wanted to play Division One sports, so it was never a question.
“The recruitment process for girls’ soccer starts earlier than most other sports. For me, it began freshman year. Track recruitment starts at the end of junior year, so I had to wait to speak with the track coaches until then!”
Track coach Bill Smith says: “It’s a remarkable feat if she’s able to (play two sports). There are very few athletes that are capable of even making an attempt to do something like that. It is extremely difficult. It’s got to say something that a program like Penn State - that those coaches would even contemplate allowing someone to give this a try. You’ve got to be a pretty special athlete because 99.9 percent of the time they’re not even going to give you that chance.
“Her spring season last year was really special and really good. This spring she was doing more soccer, and I’m not blaming it all on the soccer, but she was doing more soccer, and the legs were a little tired. Yes, her district meet was not a typical Marissa Sheva district meet, but she regrouped, refocused, and it was very obvious that it was better not to do multiple events. I really wanted her to focus on the mile because I just felt she could hit a home run there – that was just my viewpoint, and it convinced her when she didn’t do quite as well in the district meet that that’s what she really needed to do, and she hit a home run (winning the state title). From a raw standpoint - just raw natural ability, she’s one of the most talented athletes I’ve had.”
About Marissa:
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite music: John Mayer
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