Marino signs to play at Rutgers

Two-sport star picks lacrosse

By: Rudy Brandl
   Katie Marino entered Hillsborough High School as an accomplished soccer player. She’s leaving as a Division 1 lacrosse athlete.
   The HHS senior, who recently completed her final scholastic soccer season, decided that lacrosse was her future when she signed an official letter of intent accepting a partial athletic scholarship from Rutgers University. Marino will join HHS teammate Nicole Smartt in the Rutgers women’s lacrosse program next year.
   "It had the best to offer all-around," said Marino, who also considered American, UC Davis and Lehigh. "It’s a great school with an amazing athletic program. Everything fits."
   Marino, a hustling player with great speed, skill and intensity, is taking advantage of the many great opportunities available for talented lacrosse athletes. Lacrosse is a growing sport that is still relatively new. That’s why Marino chose to continue her athletic career in lacrosse.
   "I’ve been playing soccer my whole life," said Marino, who recently received the varsity soccer team’s coach’s award and highest GPA recognition. "Lacrosse is new and I’d rather continue playing that. I knew I wanted to play lacrosse more."
   Smartt, Marino’s teammate in soccer and lacrosse, made the same decision. Marino is looking forward to continuing her lacrosse career with a high school teammate.
   "We get along really well and communicate well on the field," Marino said. "We’re on opposite sides of the field, but we still communicate."
   Marino has enjoyed success playing midfield and attack in her two sports. She has the tenacity and quickness to defend and the skill and speed to finish in the offensive zone. She’s also proven that she can score in the clutch. All those attributes will help her succeed in college.
   Katie’s parents, Linda and Phil Marino, graduated from Rutgers and they’re thrilled to see their daughter representing the Scarlet Knights.
   "We’re really proud of her," Phil Marino said. "We’re very fortunate. She’s a good kid and a good student. And she’s very competitive."
   "We’re really excited that she’s going to Rutgers," Linda Marino said. "That’s our alma mater and she’s close to home so we can see her play."
   HHS head coach Beth Murrin has watched Katie Marino develop and improve every year. She’s never been the No. 1 player in the program but has always worked hard to make her mark. Marino is a dangerous, explosive weapon who never stops running.
   "Katie came up as a freshman and she’s worked hard to get better," Murrin said. "That’s going to make her successful at the college level. It’s also nice having her close at Rutgers so we can watch her play."
   Marino will miss her high school days, during which she helped the girls’ soccer and lacrosse teams win championships. She relished the bonding and team unity but she’s ready to move on to the next level.
   "It’s pure excitement," Marino said. "The chance to continue my career at such a great program is very exciting. I love new opportunities so college should be great."