Marissa

Profile Name Marissa Castelli Nickname  Mcast Birthdate August 20, 1990 Birthplace Providence, Rhode Island Hometown Cranston, Rhode Island Home Club Skating Club of Boston

Biography

Marissa Castelli was destined to become a figure skater.

"My mom is a figure skating coach," she said.

Born August 20, 1990, Marissa was on the ice by the time she was 3 years old. She started skating lessons with the U.S. Figure Skating’s Basic Skills Program two years later.

Marissa started pair skating when she was 15. "I was told to jump next to my old partner (Brad Vigorito) and we thought it might be fun to try pairs," she said.

Marissa teamed up with Simon Shnapir in June 2006. "My new coach Carrie (Wall) told me I should tryout with Simon and that we would be able to go to the Eastern Sectional Championships," she said.

At their first sectional championships in November 2006, Marissa and Simon finished fourth in novice pairs and qualified for the 2007 U.S. Championships in Spokane, Wash.

"Going to nationals for the first time was the best feeling," Marissa said. The team finished ninth after placing ninth in the short program and seventh in the free skate.

The team went on to compete on the Junior Grand Prix circuit the following season. At the 2008 U.S. Championships, Marissa and Simon won the bronze medal in the novice competition.

They won the junior pairs bronze medal at the 2009 U.S. Championships. Then the team took the bronze at the World Junior Championships, the highest finish among the American pairs.

Marissa attributes her success to "practice, practice, practice" — the same advice that she also offers to skaters hoping to make the national team.

Marissa wears Graf skating boots with Matrix blades.

The best part about skating is that "I love to perform," she said.

Marissa graduated from Cranston High School West in her hometown of Cranston, R.I. In the future, she would like to attend college but she is undecided about what degree she would like to pursue.

Throughout high school, Marissa was an honor roll student while also balancing skating and playing varsity lacrosse. She also previously participated in cheerleading, gymnastics, indoor track and softball.

Marissa's hobbies are shopping — her favorite brands are Lululemon, Aries/A.E. and Betsey Johnson, playing video games and watching movies. She also enjoys playing lacrosse in her spare time.

Fast Facts

• "I am 100-percent Italian and proud."

• "I have an older brother who is in college."

• "I have a dog name Chico."

• "I love to dance."