By Evan Mugford
Staff Writer
June 25, 2008 11:38 pm NEWBURYPORT — It's a staple in our society that the large majority of teenagers become independent — or attempt to — once high school ends and the glorious life of college or work begins. However, such is not the case with recent Carrabassett Valley Academy graduate and Newburyport native Marissa Cap. The daughter of Demetrius and Suzanne Cap, the 17-year-old Cap could be defined as a late bloomer when it comes to skiing. Like many skiers who are practically raised on the slopes, Cap began when she was 10. If it wasn't for a family friend in Karen Kearney, Cap may never have been introduced to the sport that has treated her so well. "Karen used to bring me and my sister Olivia up to the mountains every weekend," said Cap, who specializes in the half-pipe and slope-style events. "We would go to Mt. Abram and Bradford, and it was rather quickly that I fell in love with the sport." Cap became so passionate about skiing that, after Kearney had mentioned the Carrabassett Valley Academy, a coeducational boarding school for grades eight through post-graduate located on the base of Sugarloaf Mountain that focuses on skiing/snowboarding, college preparatory classes, and responsible living, Cap, who was only in the seventh grade, was already making plans to apply and attend the mountain school for her eighth-grade year. "I was drawn to the school, "explained Cap, who also played soccer on the CVA Big Dogs. "I had learned that it was a school that had a strong athletic and academic community, and it just seemed that CVA would be a perfect fit for me." CVA was a perfect fit for the 13-year-old, and before she knew it, her decision to attend the school and increase her skiing abilities on the CVA Freestyle Team was about to send her and her Volkl skis all over the United States, Canada, and Europe. A few of the places Cap has been to are Saas Fee, Switzerland — every fall for two weeks of training — Breckenridge and Keystone of Summit County in Colorado, Steamboat Springs inside the Routt National Forest in Colorado, and Park City, Utah, which is also part of the Summit County. Though the winter time consisted mostly of traveling, Cap and her teammates would prepare themselves in the fall with a variety of rigorous double-session days that included cardiovascular training, plyometrics, weight lifting, and trampoline work. With CVA now behind her, Cap is cognizant of just how much the school has offered and taught her. "Without CVA, I know I wouldn't have the qualities that are preparing me for the Massachusetts Maritime Academy," explained Cap, who stated that her most rewarding competition was when she placed ninth among the world's best at the Junior Olympics at Steamboat. "MMA is pretty demanding, physically and academically, and you have to be a strong member of the community. "CVA has instilled a lot of great and important ideals in me, like time management and responsibility, that I'm certain will prove invaluable at MMA." Now set for sail, Cap is more than prepared to begin her major: marine engineering. For the past few years, Cap has been working at a boat camp aboard the Erica Lee and believes her success will lead her to a career in marine transportation. "I love learning how things work," said Cap, who states that her parents, skier Sarah Burke, and anyone in the military are her personal heroes. "I'm just really excited to begin college and see where things lead me next." The Cap Report Name: Marissa Cap Age: 17 Height: 5-3 Hometown: Newburyport Graduated: Carrabassett Valley Academy in Carrabassett, Me. Next: Will attend Massachusetts Maritime Academy Major: Marine engineering Sport: Snowboarding Events: Slope-style and half-pipe Ambition: Produce her own designer jeans company
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