TRUMBULL—Good things come in small packages. Meet Julia Marino, X Games champion, and that gal who grabbed the sky at Fenway Park and hung on to it for gold at the World’s Grand Prix Big Air event in 2016. She wasn’t scheduled to appear that night. Just as she wasn’t scheduled to start for a highly ranked St Joseph High School soccer team in 2011. But appear she did. In 2013, Julia led the Cadets to an undefeated season and the FCIAC and State Championships. The spotlight has been on her since.
During the off season, the Marinos of Westport are a skiing family, and Julia’s fearlessness quickly caught the attention of the snow world. So began her dual life of ski academies and St Joes. In January 2014, a decision had to be made. It was all in on the slopes. Off she went to train full time with the U.S. ski team. Eleven world medals in the last three years; three of them gold. Julia finished the 2017 season ranked third in the world by the International Ski Federation and has since competed all over the world. Next week, she leads the hopes of the U.S. Snowboarding Team in Pyeongchang, Korea.
“Her world has changed. Julia has not. When she is home, you can find her on campus, cheering on our current State Champs, and hanging with her former mates. Pleasant, unassuming, still amazed by her success, Julia hardly looks like the fearless athlete who will flash down the ramp, launch herself into the sky, and twist into her signature “cab-double 9-indy” before the whole world. But fly, she will, with her St Joes “family” pulling for her, and praying for her. Godspeed,” said Dr. Bill Fitzgerald, Head of School.
Click to watch the video from St. Joseph High School wishing Julia well!