“Around the Oval’’ By BOB LEDDY R.I. T&FF Correspondent
9 Feb. - - Initially, Mike Marsella said, he was interested in the University of North Carolina. But UNC head track coach Peter Watson left that school to take up a similar post at the University of Virginia. The Chariho High senior All-State distance man liked what he saw in meeting Watson; that and a friend’s visit to the UVA campus caused Marsella to change his mind.
To that end, he signed a national letter of intent to attend UVA in the fall. He’ll make his first visit to the campus next month. “I’ll fly down after [High School] Nationals,” said Marsella, who this Saturday enters the Millrose high school mile in New York City as second seed.
“It was almost like tightrope-walking,’’ Marsella said of his ultimate choice. “It was kind of late in the recruiting process. But [in finding out about UVA] there were very similar academic types. I think it’s a good fit.’’
The University of Virginia, a Division I program, is part of the competitive Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
“We were joking with him at the signing. He looked at nine different schools,’’ said Charger coach Bill Habarek. “He’s going to a school he hasn’t visited, but he’s excited about the program and his teammates there. Mike is very much a team guy. He always puts the team before himself, and in this day and age, that’s so awesome to see.’’
“The other schools I looked at were great,’’ Marsella said. “But I wanted to go out-of-state. And training in warmer weather is something to consider. [UVA] has been recruiting some top guys. They’re going to make the program something to reckon with.’’
Academics also played a major role in Marsella’s decision.
“I want to go into the biology field,’’ she said. “More into kinesiology; human biology. That’s what I’m interested in.’’
“That’s the other piece of this,’’ Habarek said. “[UVA] is just a great school, and Mike’s looking down the road. He wants to be a physician’s assistant. He’s really thought things out. He and his parents put a lot of work into the visits and planning. It’s been an intense process. He’s done an amazing job.’’
Says the newest member of Cavalier track and cross country: I’m really excited. I feel good.’’
