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Minasi leaps to victory with record jump
(by Erin Patricia Griffiths - July 08, 2008)
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Photo Courtesy Of Pat Minasi
During this past spring, Marie Minasi achieved the longest jump in Bergen County and the second longest jump in North Jersey with her jump of 17’8”, which led to her win of the NNJIL Division C Championship.
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Marie Minasi happened upon jumping almost by chance, never expecting the success she would have with the sport. “I started to jump because I didn’t want to run. I was a little lazy. They asked if I wanted to jump one day and I was right there,” said Minasi of her first experience with jumping for track in middle school. In the second semester of her freshman year at the Academy of the Holy Angels, she was told her talent made her an excellent candidate for triple jump and so her high school athletic career began.
Minasi served as captain on both the freshman and junior varsity soccer teams for the first two years of high school before deciding to commit herself solely to track. In the spring semester of her sophomore year, Minasi won the NNJIL C long and triple jumps and began stacking up her career achievements. “You can always beat it, you can always go a few more inches,” said Minasi. “There are definitely good days and bad days, so it is always exciting when you get a good day.”
Entering her senior year at the academy this fall, Minasi has a list of accomplishments with her jumping success to include as she fills out her college applications. She has already received letters from various colleges expressing interest in her athletic talents including Colgate University and Lafayette College.
During this past spring, Minasi achieved the longest jump in Bergen County and the second longest jump in North Jersey with her jump of 17’8”, which led to her win of the NNJIL Division C Championship. Minasi also had a 35’ 5” jump in the triple jump, and cleared five feet in the high jump. Her record achievements earned her a spot on the first team All-Bergen County girls track team and All-North Jersey girls track and field team with The Record. “All-County the coaches go to the meeting, and then you find out about it. But All-North Jersey, my coach didn’t even know. I had to call and tell him,” said Minasi beaming. “It was a lot of work, but I love it.”
Minasi attributes much of her success to a new pair of running shoes. “I do best when I get my new shoes. My freshman year I did jump 17’3” once, but it was complete inconsistency. It was the day I had my news shoes. And then I got new shoes this year, and that was the day I got my big jump.”
In recognition of her athletic achievements, Minasi received the NJSIAA award, which is presented to only six students each year. The award includes a trip to the National Federation of High School Associations National Student Leadership Conference in Indianapolis mid-July, sponsored by T-Mobile.
But Minasi’s talents far exceed athletics alone, extending into academics and community service awareness as well. Having already completed AP statistics and AP history, she is scheduled to complete three AP courses during her senior year including English, calculus, and physics. Minasi’s favorite academic subject is math. “I like concrete answers.” She hopes to incorporate math into the degree she will choose to pursue in college. She is most interested in math and business, but dreams of a career in fashion, which would fulfill her strong passion for clothing design and accessories. “I love fashion. With business, I want to mix it with fashion somehow.”
Minasi is also actively involved in Operation Smile, a volunteer group that focuses its time on raising money to repair childhood facial deformities around the world. In August, she will be attending Operation Smile’s Annual International Leadership Conference in San Diego, Calif.
Having completed a long, hard season filled with record achievements, Minasi eagerly welcomed summer. “At the end of this track season, I was definitely ready for a break.”
After attending the two conferences this summer, she plans to visit her older brother Topher at American University before vacationing with family and her best friend in Florida. When the summer ends, it will be time for Minasi to dress in her plaid uniform and return to school for her senior year. But it is not the competition that awaits her in the winter track season that Minasi is focusing on. “The most important thing to me is I want to have fun. And I have fun doing it.”
Erin Patricia Griffiths' e-mail address is GriffithsE@northjersey.com.
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