Marinell, Peacock sign letters
Bishop Verot seniors Chase Marinell and Stephanie Peacock accomplished as much in their respective sports as any athlete in school history.
Their coaches aren’t shy about handing out heavy praise, either, after Marinell and Peacock signed national letters-of-intent Monday with Liberty University and the University of North Carolina, respectively.
Peacock capped her stellar career Saturday with a dominant performance in the Class A swimming and diving state championships. She won two state titles, and smashed the competition in the 500 freestyle.
Coach Jim Quinn called it the best performance he’s witnessed “in 19 years on the deck.”
Similarly, golf coach Mike Reese said Marinell is “probably the best golfer ever” at Verot, after compiling a lengthy list of accomplishments that includes leading the team to the state meet the past two years.
Peacock and Marinell, both Cape Coral residents, took turns signing their scholarship letters in Verot’s Senior Courtyard. Both were quick to thank their parents for support.
Marinell said his mother, Amy, first encouraged him to try out for a golf team in middle school, while attending Fort Myers Christian School.
“I didn’t even want to try out. My mom made me,” he said. “I was crying the whole way there.”
It turned out for the best. Marinell had a positive experience playing in middle school for coach Mike Medinis and continued to improve his game at the high school level.
Along with numerous district and regional titles, Marinell is a three-time winner of the Nolan Henke/Patty Berg Junior Masters and qualified this past summer for the U.S. Junior Amateur.
Marinell had a strong list of college offers to consider, including schools like Central Florida, Illinois, and Michigan, but said he ultimately made his decision to attend Liberty University, located in Lynchburg, Va., after his official visit.
“It was always my plan B school. There were a few schools ahead,” Marinell said, “but right when I stepped on campus I knew that’s where I wanted to go.”
Marinell said his goal is to play professionally.
“I have to work my butt off,” he said. “I think I should be able to stay focused and motivated there (at Liberty).”
Peacock first became a state champion in the 500 freestyle during her sophomore year, but was disappointed as a junior, finishing second to Pine Crest’s Siena DeVenuto.
That was the motivation she needed heading into her senior year.
“She doesn’t like to get beat,” said Matt Kennedy, Peacock’s club coach at Swim Florida. “She was really determined and wasn’t going to be denied a state championship.”
Peacock actually won two state titles Saturday at the Orlando YMCA Aquatic Center. She shattered the school records in winning the 200 and 500 freestyle races. Her time of 4:41.63 in the 500 was nine seconds faster than her main rival, DeVenuto.
“I was so happy with my times,” Peacock said. “I went faster than even I thought I was going to do.”
Kennedy compared Peacock’s clutch performance in the 500 to a basketball player sinking a three-point shot at the buzzer.
Perhaps it’s fitting since Peacock heads to basketball-crazed Chapel Hill.
“I loved everything about it,” Peacock said of visiting the UNC campus. “The team treated me so good. I definitely could see myself there everyday.”