Marissa Stove rounds the bend at the Samford Invitational in Birmingham, Ala. DEVYN DECKARD/Courtesy photo
Profile of Marissa Stove. GSU Athletics/Courtesy photo
The Grambling State University women’s Track and Field team is looking forward to a great 2019 campaign.
The team maintains leadership, returning five seniors from the 2018 season.
Senior sprinter Marissa Stove, a mass communication major from Thibodaux, is one of those returners who stands out on the GSU campus.
“My goal for this season, is to improve my 400-meter dash time,” Stove said. “For my outdoor Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) time, I want to run a 57:56, and place top four in the event.”
A day as a student-athlete requires time and dedication at GSU.
“My day can be really busy,” Stove said. “I wake up and go excel in all my classes. Then I go to my room and do homework until practice at three o’clock. Mondays and Wednesdays are my longer days, consisting of lifting weights along with study hall.”
Being a student-athlete can be very time consuming and comes with sacrifices However, Stove has few regrets about her time at GSU.
“Now being a senior, I wish I could have done a little more around campus, like joining organizations, and networking with my fellow classmates,” Stove said. “Track takes up a lot of my time between practices, meets, weight room sessions. and etcetera. I just wish I had the opportunity to engage with campus life more.”
Traveling and being a part of a team is a benefit that comes with being a student-athlete.
“My favorite track memory from GSU, was at Florida A&M University (FAMU),” she said. “On the way back from the track meet, we went to the beach and jet-skied. It was my first time jet skiing, and it’s a memory that I will never forget.”
Stove has formed unforgettable memories and bonds with her teammates at GSU.
“Honestly, I enjoy the many memories, I have shared with my teammates,” Stove said. “The bus rides, hotel stays and meets have all been a great experience. Everyone is a joy to be around and there’s no better feeling.”
Aside from track, Stove has several hobbies that she truly enjoys.
“In my free time I do hair,” she said.
“It’s something that I enjoy doing when I have down time and have grown to love it. I also love surfing the internet, and going on YouTube.”
Stove enjoys listening to music and is a fan of what some consider the “Prince of R&B.”
“My favorite artist is Chris Brown and I love his versatility,” Stove said.
“You can always expect great music from him. To be honest, I really don’t have a favorite genre of music I like it all.”
After graduation, Stove looks to further her education.
“I’m looking into going to graduate school, or joining the Air Force,” Stove said. “My ultimate goal is to become a lawyer in media entertainment.”