Fredericksburg Impact Feature – www.fasasoccer.org
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
By Quentin Reed
FREDERICKSBURG, VA - When a college student graduates, things like career, marriage and children often go through their minds. Nicole Marks’ mindset, however, was different from your average college graduate. She's incorporated these into her daily life but has added in the competition that drove her early on.
The three-sport all-state player out of Glen Arm, Maryland had it all according to her former head coach at the University of Richmond, Peter Albright.
“Nicole is one of the all-time greats here at Richmond. She was a tremendous competitor, a gifted athlete. She had the ‘it’ factor; personality, confidence, drive, fighting spirit, all the intangibles that help make a champion,” said Albright.
He added, “She captained our Spider team to its first regular season Conference Championship, first NCAA bid and first NCAA win, a 5-1 thrashing of West Virginia University. Nicole was and continues to be a passionate and committed teammate, friend, mother, wife, and competitor.”
Upon graduating from the University of Richmond in 2001, she used those traits Albright noticed to become the Director of Sales and Marketing at the Tobacco Restaurant Company. Four years later, in 2005, she married her beau, Brian, in September. In June 2006, they welcomed their first daughter, Logan, into their family.
One year later, Marks returned to her former stomping ground at the University of Richmond to be a part of the Richmond Spiders alumni game. There was one problem: she was pregnant again with her second girl, Gabrielle.
“The alumni game rolled around and they wanted me to be there, but I wanted to play and wanted to be a part of it. I played 10 minutes, but my parents were there and they were freaking out. Being pregnant, people are still able to do things. They don't have to lie in bed all day and be miserable,” Marks said.
After marriage and giving birth, Marks knew there was still something missing in her life. She notes that many people like to think when you have kids adding a few pounds of weight is perfectly acceptable, but she didn't want to fit into the norm.
“I had kids and I lied to myself for a long time and I got complacent. I realized one day if you eat a little healthier, run around a little here and there, go to the gym, you can become what you once were.”
“I started doing triathlons with my sister Ashley. I did a few of them and noticed I actually did well. It became addicting because I was doing so well and placing in the top of my age bracket.”
“Coaching soccer at Deep Run this season has made it hard for me to keep up with the triathlons. I like to do my best to balance my family life and my extracurricular activities,” Marks said.
Though the triathlons are fewer, she continues to push herself six days a week at the gym.
You can always find Nicole competing at soccer, kickball, whiffleball, and coaching powder puff football at Deep Run; anything that can give her an adrenaline rush.
“I got into good shape and last summer I played in the Advance Development League, a striker program in Richmond. Frederericksburg Impact Head Coach Jen Woodie sent out an email, giving us an opportunity for college level kids to come out and play and stay in shape. I accepted the offer because my love of the game and I love the competitiveness. We played Woodie's team, and I was pumped up that we won. The season ended and there went my competitive high,” Marks explained.
Marks and Woodie, along with former All-American Missy Wycinsky, also play in the RiverCity Sports and Social Club in Richmond. Though it’s supposed to be a social gathering setting, the variety of games can often get intense.
“Jen asked Missy and me if we could be numbers for the tryouts this season so we can raise the level of competition. We did well, but I was so happy that I held my own against the younger ladies, because I'm always second guessing myself as I have gotten older. I asked Jen if I made the team, if she thought we would play. She said yes and thought we [and Wyncinsky] would do well.”
Nicole made the team and now has a chance to play competitive soccer at the highest level again, a chance she didn’t have after graduating college. Not only is this a chance to show that she still has the skills, but also show her leadership on the field.
As the Impact season started, a variety of athletes joined the team and Woodie wanted to let everyone know she would be able to work around their schedules and lives.
“Woodie referred to some of us that are married with kids, and Missy and I heard the younger girls snicker, and we thought 'here we go.' But Woodie is our friend and she relies on us to show leadership as veterans. When she tells us to jog over for water, we are the first to jog over for water.”
Prior to the season, Marks set goals so she could judge herself against her teammates and competition.
“I wanted to make sure I helped our team, make sure I was the fittest. I know I'm not the best player out there. I know the things I can control so I want to push myself until I can’t go anymore. I want everyone to think I bust my ass out there.”
So far this season the former college star hasn't disappointed. Marks has played in four of the five matches and has played 90 minutes in three of the four, only leaving the one game to a thigh contusion.
But, when the games are over and she gets away from the athletic field, the mother of two enjoys her time with her family.
“I'd much rather be at home, with a glass a wine on my back patio and chilling out. We're not fancy. We love to go to the pool and we love to take dog for a walk along the river.”
Coach Albright hasn’t coached Nicole in over a decade, but knows the person Nicole was and still is.
“She is one of the best people I know. I’m not surprised that she is a big part of the Impact’s success this summer. Nicole is just a winner,” Albright said.
There is one thing that this competitive soccer mom has yet to achieve: getting a chance to compete on her favorite reality show, Survivor.
Fredericksburg travels for rematch with D.C. United Women on Wednesday
The Fredericksburg Impact is 1-0-1 since falling to the D.C. United Women 3-2 on June 9, rallying to defeat the Dayton Dutch Lions 3-2 and playing to a scoreless tie with the Virginia Beach Piranhas.
Becca Wann scored twice in the Dayton win and has a team-high five goals since joining the Impact (4-1-1) at the beginning of June. Goalie Melissa Pacheco earned the shutout against the Piranhas with 10 saves behind a solid defensive effort.
The D.C. United Women (6-0-0) rolled to a 5-1 win against the Northern Virginia Majestics last Saturday. Mikaela Howell netted three goals in the victory and has registered at least a point in all six of the team’s games.
The battle between the top two teams in the Atlantic Division kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Maryland SoccerPlex, in Boyds.
↧
Marks Returns To The Game She Loves
↧