Meet the Cyclone Gymnasts: Alex Marasco

AMES, Iowa - Alex Marasco has always wanted to be a college gymnast. Since she was a little girl she's looked up to college athletes and wanted to compete for a Division One school. Now competing in her junior year, Marasco has been a significant contributor in all three of her seasons as a Cyclone gymnast. With one year left to compete, hopes to continue being consistent in her senior season.

Like many young gymnasts, Marasco was an energetic child. The Omaha, Nebraska native joined her sister in gymnastics classes when she was only three years old. Despite the incredible time commitment it took, almost 25 hours a week, Marasco stuck with the sport and considers growing up as gymnast a good experience.

Marasco earned numerous honors during her fourteen years training and competing at Nebraska Gold Gymnastics under Barb Bottieri. She was a six time regional qualifier and placed first three times at regional championships. At the 2009 Western Championships, Marasco took first place on both vault and beam. In 2012, she earned third-place honors on beam and floor.

Even with these impressive honors, becoming a Cyclone is the thing Marasco is most proud of, “I would say being a part of a Division One team is my greatest achievement. It was my dream since I was a little girl. I always looked up to college athletes growing up, so being here has made that dream a reality.”

Marasco has been a strong competitor for Iowa State for her entire collegiate career. She has competed in 35 out of 37 meets in the last three seasons and has contributed to the team score in at least one event at every meet this season. This season, she has set career-high scores on both vault and beam, and holds the team season-high score on vault with a 9.900.

Competing in meets is one of Marasco's favorite things about Iowa State, she explains, “I love competing, I love travelling and I love everything that has to do with being in Hilton Coliseum.”

Marasco considers fear and injuries to be her biggest challenges. She is currently suffering from a labrum tear in her hip, and is working to rehab. Overcoming the pain is the most difficult part of the process, but she has been able to relieve some of the pain. Her plan right now is to push through it and work to put off surgery as long as possible.

Her teammates and family are all a big part of Marasco overcoming these kinds of challenges. She considers her parents two of her biggest supporters from the beginning. Since coming to Iowa State, she has found that she can rely on her team for support as well.

“I love the team aspect of it. Coming here I automatically had a group of people that were like family. I have fifteen other sisters that were welcoming and are there to push me through any challenges I face.”

Marasco's goals focus on consistency and helping the team. She wants to be able to go out and hit her vault and beam routine every time, and wants her scores to be counted. Ideally, she'd like to have a 9.800 on both events for every meet. Her goal isn't unrealistic, as she's earned a score of 9.800 or above nine times this season.

Since she was a little girl, Alex Marasco has wanted to be a collegiate gymnast. Now, she's not only achieved that goal, but has reached above and beyond to become a consistent competitor for a division one team. Marasco is embracing her time as an Iowa State gymnast and is working hard to continue improving herself and her team.