CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Traveling south from the Great Lakes State to the City Beautiful, freshman Jaclyn Marra is quickly getting accustomed to her new surroundings and teammates.
HurricaneSports.com caught up with the 5-foot, 1-inch forward/midfielder from Clarkston, Mich., to chat about a variety of subjects, including her experiences thus far…
Q: To start off, you have been at Miami for almost a month now. How has the experience been thus far?
“It has been great so far. I think coming down here early for the summer and having the chance to work with the training staff and academic advisors, as well as have access to all of the resources we have here, has been a huge advantage. Also, I have started to meet the people that are my best friends now. So, that has been awesome.”
Q: How has it been working athletic trainer Karl Rennalls and strength and conditioning coach Trey Watson?
“They are amazing. They are phenomenal at what they do, especially since I have been coming off of an ACL injury. So I have had to do a lot of extra work with them and they have just been so knowledgeable and are so willing to help. So that has been super helpful, having them as resources here.”
Q: Has any of the upperclassmen been helpful in showing you and the other freshmen around and help get you acclimated?
“They have all been really helpful and welcoming. The ones who have been here are always reaching out and asking us to do stuff or if there is anything we need. They have also been huge assets to have here, even if it is just asking questions and little things like that. They have been amazing.”
Q: What do you feel are your main strengths as a player?
“Being so small compared to other players on the field, I think I am very powerful and explosive off of the ball. I think that I use my speed to break down defenses and get behind them and I am always looking for goal-scoring opportunities. I also like to think that I pride myself on my work ethic. So, I like to grind out the game when it gets tough.”
Q: What has been your favorite part about Miami through the first month?
“Oh gosh, my favorite part about Miami? I mean, the weather is amazing. The athletic and academic facilities are amazing. The personnel is phenomenal. There is honestly nothing I can complain about.”
Q: What are you most looking forward to about your college career?
“Definitely just looking forward to contributing to the team in any way that I can, as well as make a great four years out of this, not only athletically but also academically. Just kind of be the best and strongest all-around player and person I can be.”
Q: Do you know what you want to major in and, if so, how did you decide that?
“I am majoring in broadcast journalism. I have always been into the television and journalism aspect of things. Also, writing has always been a huge passion of mine. So, sort of mixing the two of them together, which is something that I think I will enjoy and be really good at.”
Quick Facts…
Favorite meal: My grandpa’s raviolis
Favorite professional sports team: Detroit Lions
Favorite movie: Rocky IV
Favorite non-soccer professional athlete: Barry Sanders
Favorite TV Show: Criminal Minds
Favorite midnight snack: Frozen blueberries