Hi, my name is Marissa...my friends call me Riss. I am a level 10 gymnast training under Olympic Coach, Christian Gallardo, at Future Gymnastics Academy in Blacklick, Ohio. I could tell you all kinds of boring stuff, but if I had to pick just one thing it would be that you should...
I believe in myself so these are words that I live by. I am a confident, fearless competitor who has challenged myself to achieve the following goals: 1) become an elite gymnast 2) compete at JO Nationals 3) become a college gymnast. I am young but with hard work, perseverance, and the help of my coaches I know that I will reach my goals.
P.S. If you want to read some of the boring stuff, go to the 5 Random Things tab.
When I was 8 years old, the Columbus Dispatch wrote an article about me heading into the 2014 Buckeye Classic. You can read the full article here.
This article was about the last TOPs A camp that I attended. I placed third in physical abilities so I was mentioned by name in this article.
This article was an interview with my head coach at Buckeye Gymnastics, Kittia Carpenter. She mentioned me as a gymnast to watch. You can read the full quote here.
My dad is in the Army and has been deployed several times. During his last deployment to Guantanamo Bay, the good people of Gwinnett Gymnastis Center helped him surprise me and my mom at the Atlanta Crown Invitational. You can see the video and some pictures of our reunion here.
I love "Glorious" by Macklemore. It reminds me of my gymnastics journey. I am listening to Today's Top Hits on Spotify.
Fixer Upper and Property Brothers on HGTV
That I am sweet, caring, fun, crazy, outgoing
I can't decide between invisibility and flying.
"Today I will do what others won't so tomorrow I can do what others can't." -Jerry Rice
Gymnastics, dogs, swimming, summer, popcorn, movies, taking pictures, and music
A college gymnast and physical therapist
My parents are named Anthony and Sheila. They both work for New Albany Schools. My dad is an Army combat veteran.
I have an older sister named McKenna. She is currently a senior in high school at Westerville South. She will play softball in college. My brother is in 8th grade. He plays football, basketball, and runs track for our school. He plays travel baseball for the Ohio Elite.
We have a dog named Ayra (pronounced Eye-Yuh). She is a miniature Aussie Doodle and is named after my dad's favorite Game of Thrones character.
I learned to drive a Rhino at my grandma and grandpa's farm.
I had an article written about me in our hometown newspaper, the Columbus Dispatch. The article can be seen here.
I am going to run track for my middle school team next spring.
Gabby Douglas, Nia Dennis, Chandler King (Instagram famous), Dana Duckworth, and Urban Myer
Laurie Hernandez, Zac Efron, and Simone Biles
