Senior spotlight: Columbus Catholic's Marissa Immerfall hits new heights
MARSHFIELD - Marissa Immerfall might not have the height of a typical dominant post player, but she has played like one for the Columbus Catholic girls basketball team.
Immerfall, who is 5-foot-9, has averaged 12 points and 6.3 rebounds a game this season for the Dons, who entered Thursday tied with Owen-Withee for second place in the Cloverbelt Conference-East Division, just a half-game behind Colby.
Immerfall, who also runs cross country, is a tri-captain for the Dons team that has reached new heights this season. Columbus Catholic won 12 and 13 games over the past two seasons.
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"She is extremely athletic and she plays a lot of AAU basketball. She is used to going against taller kids," Columbus Catholic coach Marty Draxler said. "She is someone who has worked really, really hard to be where she is.
"She goes up strong (with the ball), rebounds extremely well. Being a little bit smaller, I think you have to be a little bit smarter (with rebounding) in terms of anticipating of where the ball is going to. She has that skill of being in the right place at the right time."
Immerfall recently sat down with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin to talk about the Dons' fast start, a few notable moments on the court and her pregame routines.
Do you have a nickname that your friends, teammates or family members call you?
Coach actually calls me 'Gretch.' We had a tournament at the beginning of the season, and (before a game) he told us the names of the starters on the opposite team. He said, 'Marissa, you are going to be guarding Gretchen and I want you to say her name when you shake hands (before the tipoff).' I told her, 'Good luck, Gretchen.' She kind of gave me a weird look. I found out later that was actually not her name.
What would you say your athletic highlight has been or your most memorable moment?
The beginning of this season. Going in, we did not expect to be as successful as we are right now. It's just really awesome that we are where we are right now.
What has been your least memorable moment?
It was this season. I was really off in a game against Gilman and was not really shooting because I thought every one I took was going to miss. But coach was like, 'You need to shoot.' Right after that, I took one shot from the elbow and totally airballed it.
What has worked for the Dons so far this year and led to the success?
We have been really strong with our shooting and in the post, Addison (Baierl and I) have been working really well together. (The team) has been working hard during practices and I think all the time we have put in has really impacted where we are right now.
Was there a game this year that was a confidence-builder for the team?
When we played Colby at the start of the season. We walked in there thinking, 'Man, this is going to be a really tough game.' We weren't sure we could pull it off, but we surprised ourselves and we did.
Is there something that people might not know about you?
I'm really into hunting. We have 80 acres out by our house, so I usually hunt there and sometimes at my friends'.
Do you have have any pregame superstitions?
Same socks for every game, for sure. Then I always eat three hours before a game — a sub or any type of sandwich. Then before a (home) game as we are going up the stairs (to the court), I always stand at the top and give everyone a high-five and pump them up.
Who is your celebrity crush?
Zac Efron.
Where is your dream vacation?
Ireland.
What is your postgraduation plans:
I am going to UW-La Crosse for physical therapy.
FAVORITES
Sport: Basketball.
Pro or college athlete: Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Movie: "Benchwarmers."
TV show: "The Office."
Food or meal: Macaroni and cheese.