Marisa Berger (Q&A - May 2010)
Marisa Berger, 17, of Pasadena, Calif., placed first in both the junior and senior divisions at this year's Winter Open which kicked off the 2010 competition schedule the first weekend of January in Palm Springs, Calif. In 2009, Berger placed second at the U.S. Open in Youth A, and was fourth at the U.S. Nationals in Youth A and Juniors.
Marisa answered the following 10 questions for this month's Athlete Profile...
Q1: Do you have a hobby or unique skills?
MARISA BERGER: My passion outside of pentathlon is art and art history, so I love to go to museums and art shows, especially since
Q2: What area of the pentathlon do you feel you need to work on most to become better?
MARISA BERGER: I definitely need to improve in swimming. It has always been my weakness, and whereas many pentathletes come from swimming backgrounds, I came from a riding and running background so I still have a bit of catching up to do.
Q3: Are you a big reader of the classics?
MARISA BERGER: Absolutely. I feel like it is an important part of becoming an educated person. Right now I’m reading "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" by James Joyce, and I’m currently fascinated with French Existentialism so I just finished "Huis Clos" by Jean-Paul Sartre and "L’Etranger" by Albert Camus.
Q4: How has your upbringing made you the person and athlete you are today?
MARISA BERGER: I am an only child, and my parents have always done everything in their power to make me happy. So, since the first time I tried pentathlon and loved it, they have given me their complete support, from driving me to swim practices at 5am before I got my license to standing out in the backyard to keep me company when I shoot. As an athlete and person they’ve given me the confidence to take more risks, knowing that they’ll always have my back.
Q5: What actress or movie character best describes you and why?
MARISA BERGER: I think I am most like Hermione Granger from "Harry Potter". She takes her academics very seriously, she stands up for herself, and although she can be a little bossy at times she is always a loyal friend. Also, she’s never worried about keeping up with the boys!
Q6: Who is your role model and why?
MARISA BERGER: My role model is my mother. She is the hardest working person I know, and she never does anything for the pride or recognition, but rather for the satisfaction of a job well done. Also she is the most generous, and fun person I know, and if I ever become a mother I hope I will be as amazing of a role model to my child as she has been to me.
Q7: What is your favorite all-time TV show, and what do you like so much about it?
MARISA BERGER: There was a show on NBC a few years ago called "American Dreams" set in
Q8: Where do you want to travel to in the world for, say, an extended vacation?
MARISA BERGER: I would love to go to
Q9: Who do you hang out with most in your free time?
MARISA BERGER: When I’m not at home, which is often, I spend most of my free time with my friends. I think someone’s friends really say a lot about the person, so I’ve always been so thankful to have friends as amazing as mine are. When I am at home, I spend 99% of my time with my best friend, my cat Nikki.
Q10: How do you deal with big-event pressure – or how can others who are facing a big event soon?
MARISA BERGER: I think knowing that there will always be another competition helps my competition nerves the most. If I’m having a bad day, I know that there will always be another chance to redeem myself. If I’m having a good day, I can be satisfied with my results, but I always keep in mind that glory fades fast and that I will need to prove myself again at a competition right around the bend.
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Past Athlete Profiles
April 2010 - Sam Sacksen
March 2010 - Eli Bremer
February 2010 - Dennis Bowsher
January 2010 - Nathan Schrimsher
December 2009 - Margaux Isaksen
November 2009 - Will Brady
