What’s your favorite movie?

High School Musical

 

Who is the best high school athlete you have competed against?

Not just because of her swimming times, but I think (Buckhannon-Upshur’s) Cameron Zuliani is the best all-around athlete I’ve competed against. She’s really good at swimming but she’s really good at everything else she does.

 

Favorite subject in school?

Math

 

You have to go into quarantine, what three items do you make sure you have with you?

My phone so I could still talk to people and if I needed to I could still watch TV on my phone also, SkinnyPop popcorn and Galliker’s chocolate milk from Sheetz.

 

 

Any pre-meet superstitions or rituals?

Before every swim meet, I typically eat chicken parmigiana the night before, depending on the location I’m in and what restaurant it comes from. Swimming related, I have a piece of this old cap that ripped a long time ago that my grandpa gave me before he passed away. I have the piece of the cap inside my cap every time I race. I have to have it. I’m convinced I can’t swim without it in my cap.

 

What meet of your career sticks out the most?

I feel like high school states typically does because it’s a different atmosphere than my club team. I know most of the people at states from club. I wouldn’t say it’s on a bigger scale because some of the club events are huge but I feel like competing for the school makes it better.

 

Describe Coach Grisso in one word.

Determined. Even school wise, not just swim team wise, I had her for home room in eighth grade and she was adamant about getting stuff in on time and it help prepare for high school. Swim team wise, she’s told me ever since my freshman year, “Marra, I’m not leaving until your done or “Marra, I’m not leaving until we get our state championship.”

 

You wake up to a foot of snow, do you stay inside and find something to do or go outside and play?

It depends on if it is the good snow. Like if it is the snow you can build a snowman with I would go outside and play but if it’s the crappy snow that falls apart when you step on it, I would probably stay inside and watch movies.

 

Celebrity Crush?

Number one is Zac Efron since Day 1. But also Leo Howard who was in the Disney show Kickin’ It but he’s also in a new show I’ve been watching Legacies.

 

Any New’s Years Resolutions or goals for 2021?

Pretty much the typical lose weight. I had already been going to Gorilla (Strength and Fitness) but I’ve been going to the gym with my Mom some too. We’ve been eating healthier. I apparently wasn’t eating enough either to maintain for all the calories I do burn so I’ve been eating more also and paying attention to what I’m eating.

 

What music are you listening to before the meet to get you fired up or listening to in general?

My playlist is all over the place. I like country music, I have a little bit of rap, a little bit of old 2000s music and a couple of Disney songs. I have pre-made playlists for each type of activity.

 

Any secret talents that most people would be surprised to know you have?

I can do the clover thing with my tongue. And it’s not really a talent but my pointer finger and my middle finger (on both hands) are the same length. It’s not really a talent, it’s just there.

 

Who’s the funniest swimmer on the BHS swim team?

It’s got to be between Marcel (Rodriguez) and Reese (Allen). It’s not that they make dumb comments but they are so irrelevant and then they counteract with each other and makes it even more funny.

 

Where’s one place in the world you have never been to that you would like to visit?

There’s two for different reasons. I really want to go to Italy because that’s where my family is from. But I also really want to go to California because I really want to learn how to surf.

 

Favorite meal?

There is this restaurant in Pittsburgh (Texas de Brazil) that has all-you-can eat steak. It’s a Brazilian steak house in Pittsburgh. Not just the steak but everything there. Just in general, eating there is my favorite meal.

 

Favorite pro or college athlete?

Katie Ledecky (American swimmer), I used to be obsessed with her when I was little.

 

Favorite pro or college team?

Normally it’s WVU but since I was little I’ve been obsessed with the UK swim team.

 

2020 was a rough year for everybody, what’s one positive you can take from it?

I definitely got closer with a lot of my friends and I think I got better at golf too because that was all I could pretty much do.

 

The coolest animal at the zoo?

The koala bear. I just think they are adorable and I think it’s great that they just sleep all day.

 

Most memorable sports moment you have had as a fan?

My eighth grade year I went to watch high school states and I watched two girls I knew tie to win the 100 freestyle. I thought it was so cool that they finished with the same time, they both won and I knew both of them.

 

What’s one thing it seems like everybody you know likes but you can’t stand?

Vanilla ice cream. I just really like chocolate or something flavored like with Oreos or in a blizzard.

 

The best thing on TV right now is?

All American, they just came out with season three.

 

What is the most important thing being an athlete at BHS has taught you?

Treat your team like a family. I feel like we all want the same thing obviously but it goes a lot better when everybody gets along and is happy and not arguing.

 

There’s a young kid in the community just getting into swimming or golf, what advice do you give him or her?

It’s not as overwhelming as it seems. I know my freshman year I was stressing out about having to go into high school sports. But it wasn’t anything to get stressed out over. The more calm you are, the better you will do. The more happy you are and the more fun you have with it the better it will be.

 

Editor's Note: Photos of Marra Johnson by www.benqueenphotography.com