Marisa Etzell explodes out of the blocks last season. (Shelli Trumbull photo)
With big bro and dad on the Manitou Incline near Colorado Springs. They gained 2,011 feet in elevation over a mile, with the maximum grade being 68%.
Surveying her soccer domain. (Shelli Trumbull photo)
Marisa Etzell is about to get big. Very big.
The Coupeville High School sophomore sits on the cusp of stardom, a superstar about to be born in front of the track world.
Coming off a freshman season in which she was a consistent sprinter and a key member of relay teams that made serious runs at school records, she is all upside as she enters her second year of repping the black and red on the track oval.
Not that the low-key, friendly Etzell would blow her own horn. She first picked up track to give her another way to enjoy time with her large family (“Pretty much everyone in the Etzell family is a runner”) and, upon joining the high school squad, found a second family.
“As a freshman, I found my people!,” Etzell said. “I realized track was the right sport for me.
“I love all the positive support from the team,” she added. “Pushing each other to work harder, be stronger and run faster are all things I like about track.”
Etzell ran the 100 and 400 as a ninth-grader, winning the 100 at the Port Angeles Invitational, but it’s the relays where she feels she really thrives.
“Hmmmmm … strengths. I guess I’ll go with relays,” Etzell said. “Why else would Mr. (Randy) King sign me up for all possible relays???
“The 4 x 200 relay team that I was in got extremely close to the school record. We will get it this year!!!!,” she added. “I’d absolutely love to be a part of setting several school records in relays. We’ve got the girls to get the job done, we just need to get out there and compete.”
With her braids bouncing in rhythm as she glides past fellow runners, it can look from the outside as if Etzell just has tons of natural, God-give talent. What the fans in the stands don’t see is the hard work and effort she puts in ahead of time.
“I’m told that I’m a graceful runner, as if I don’t have to work at it,” Etzell said. “But I really do work at it, honestly!!! Looks can be deceiving…”
With the start of practice Monday, Etzell will look to fine-tune her already formidable skills.
“I’d like to work on relay exchanges with my relay team,” Etzell said. “An area I need to work on is coming out of the blocks. It’s crucial to have a good start, especially for sprints because of their short distance.
“There’s definitely more I need to work on, but we’ll save that for another time,” she added. “Get back to me in May as we’re preparing for districts, conference, and state.”
She’s also looking for some new challenges, and may spread out and tackle other disciplines.
“I’ve been considering javelin. It’s about time I compete in a field event,” Etzell said. “I may try hurdles. As it is Madison (Tisa McPhee)’s senior year, I’d like to learn from the best.
“Speaking of the best, my dad ran hurdles in high school as well as college, and he’d love to help me through the track season to eventually compete in hurdling,” she added. “I’m not sure how I feel about this hurdling nonsense…”
One thing she is rock-solid on is her love for family, which includes parents Mike and Kristi and brothers Ben, Lucas and Nick.
“My mom for supporting me no matter what, my dad for going on runs with me and making me realize the sky is NOT the limit, and my big bro for showing me how to be competitive but not over the top and always give 110% in all aspects of life.”
An accomplished soccer player, Etzell also takes part in Leo Club, Science Olympiad and Big Brothers Big Sisters and was voted the sophomore princess for Homecoming by her classmates.
She won’t choose between her sports (“I don’t pick favorites. No. Just no. I enjoy the friendship and team bonding on both”), but will readily tell you what she enjoys.
“I like all types of music, working with kids, whether it’s babysitting or Sunday school,” Etzell said. “I like participating in community service, and keeping allllll of my brothers in line!!!”
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