Moving On Up

SARASOTA — Cassidy Marryott’s schedule is about to change.

For the past six years, the Cardinal Mooney High senior has followed the same exact routine — school, Sarasota Crew practice, dinner and homework.

In a matter of months, Marryott will find herself waking up to an entirely new schedule with its own set of challenges.

But Marryott is more than ready to tackle the task.

On May 8, surrounded by her family, coaches and teammates, Marryott signed a national letter of intent to row for the University of Central Florida.

“It’s actually really surprising,” Marryott says. “I’m super excited for the future, but it’s bittersweet having to let go of the past.”

Marryott chose UCF over Wisconsin and Florida Gulf Coast University for its academics and the strength of its rowing team. Marryott, who will join former Crew teammate Katie DiVincenzo at UCF, plans to study communications with the hope of running Disney World one day.

Marryott began rowing with the Crew in seventh grade after her older brother, Thom, joined the team. Hailing from a rowing family, Marryott quickly developed a knack for the sport and enjoyed the stability it brought to her life.

“I just love knowing what I’m doing,” Marryott says. “It (leaves) me determined and focused and helps me with time management. I like the schedule.”

With her final Crew season upon her, Marryott has her sights set on closing out her high school career with a national title.

Marryott won a state championship in the Varsity 8+ last month; and this past weekend she helped lead her boat to a first-place finish at the USRowing Southeast Junior District Championships, at Nathan Benderson Park. Now she and her teammates will prepare for the USRowing Youth National Championship, which begins June 13, in California.

“Cassidy is a wonderful kind of athlete,” coach Marty Beyer says. “She does whatever she can do to help the team.”

Sarasota High wrestler Tobias Baker also saw his dream of competing at the next level fulfilled April 30 when he signed with Minot State University in North Dakota.

Baker chose Division II Minot State University over University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Coker College and Appalachian State for its campus and the cold weather.

“I fell in love on my official visit and it just felt right,” Baker says. “To wrestle in college means the world to me. It’s something I’ve dreamed about since starting this sport, and to be able to compete at a higher level is an honor.”

Baker, who won the Class 2A state championship at 220 pounds earlier this year, plans to study business administration and marketing with a minor in sports medicine or exercise science.

Baker will continue training this summer in Sarasota before heading up to North Dakota, where he will join a Beavers squad that closed out the season with two consecutive dual-meet victories. Minot State has never sent a wrestler to the national championships, and Baker is hoping to change that during his time with the Beavers.

“The most exciting thing about wrestling at the next level is the competition,” Baker says. “There aren’t any what we call fish or inexperienced wrestlers. You get the best level of competition as well as a shot at a national title. I wanted a state championship, and I long for a national title; and I promise I will get one.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].