Marisa is a diverse athlete playing both field and box lacrosse. She is strong, fit and shows what sport can do for confidence in girls!
Thank you for generously supporting Marisa in this year’s competition. Your support helps empower the V Foundation for Cancer Research and the Why Not You Foundation in their respective missions to save lives and empower today's youth to become tomorrow's leaders.
There is something about stepping on the lacrosse field or floor that makes the worries of school, or difficulties with friends just disappear. Lacrosse tests my strength, physical and mental which fuels me; not scares me! I love the people I play with, my coaches who push me and believe in me and my teammates who are some of my best friends! Lacrosse has taught me how to be a leader, and how to listen. I love the discipline it takes, every week before, during practice and after practice.
Marisa grew up watching her brother love lacrosse. He was never the flashiest player but always worked hard. A coach told him once “effort always beat talent”. This mindset rubbed off on Marisa. Marisa trained hard, both physically and mentally, with grit and determination. Marisa plays her own style of lacrosse game, different than her brother but you can see pieces of him in her game. Effort always. Determination and grit always. And most importantly a true love of the creators game.
I’m sure this is meant to highlight one of my biggest accomplishments- all star teams, or being named captain but honestly the moment I’m most proud of is when I didn’t make a team. I was named as an alternate to Team Alberta. I was devastated. Everyone was working towards nationals and I knew I wasn’t going. But in accepted my red shirt position and pushed myself to get better, showing up every day. Im proud of that version of me, the one that stuck it out and chose growth over ego.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like Youth Athlete of the Year, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.