Ali Marrero, a senior at Sachem High School East, signed her National Letter of Intent to compete on the gymnastics team at Kent State during an event at the high school Thursday afternoon.
“All my hard work paid off,” said Marrero, sporting her blue and gold Golden Flashes attire. “It’s an exciting experience. I can’t wait to be a part of the team. It’s nice to know where you belong and where you’re going. It was a great fit. When I was there I felt I belonged there. Their team and their coaches made me like it even more. They were very welcoming.”
Marrero, who has competed for Gold Medal Gymnastics in Huntington, N.Y. for the last 10 years, is the younger sister of Sachem East alum Samantha Marrero, a gymnast at Southeastern Missouri State University.
“Watching her, I strived to be like her,” she said. “I saw how hard she worked and got what she deserved. It made me want to be like her.”
Kent State competes in the MAC and travels to some very well known and high profile athletic schools for competition throughout the year.
RELATED: See more photos from the Sachem East Signing Day event
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro