University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Five Days 'Till Bulldog Cross Country
08.29.2016 | Cross Country
Asheville, N.C.- Only five days remain until UNC Asheville's men's and women's cross country teams open their 2016 season at Western Carolina. To prepare fans for the upcoming season, meet senior Marissa Banks.
Banks came to Asheville from Wake Forrest, N.C. and has competed in cross country, and track and field for the Bulldogs for the past three years. In her junior season Banks beat her personal best in the 5k by about a minute by posting a time of 19:54.8 at the Royals XC Challenge. She had another personal best in the 2K with a time of 11:46.7 putting her in first place at the 2015 WCU Fast Cat Invitational.
What is your major?
Business Management
What are your post-school plans?
Ideally I'd like to move back to California and find work in the Bay Area. At some point I may think about attending grad school.
Why did you choose Asheville?
I love the location of our campus within the Blue Ridge Mountains and being in close proximity to downtown.
How long have you been running cross country?
I began running in fourth grade and started cross country in middle school.
Who has been your biggest influence on the field?
My parents Darryl and Linda
What are three things you can't live without?
Netflix, carbs, and my kitties
What's your favorite food?
Anything Italian
What nicknames do you have?
Baby Marissers and Sissy Marissy
Do you have a favorite class you've taken here?
Intro to Geology. We took some pretty cool field trips around the mountains.
When I'm not on the course/ track, I am…
Probably napping.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
Having the opportunity to race multiple times on our relatively fast home course.
What's something most people may not know about you?
I have an obsession with furry animals. You may find me chasing stray cats and bunnies during a run.
Do you have a favorite place you've visited?
Hawaii. I love pretty much anywhere tropical.
