Huntley's Marzejon headed to Michigan State
Gerry Marzejon did nothing to influence his daughter Coryn's college decision.
He didn't have to.
Coryn Marzejon, one of the most celebrated girls track stars in area history, made it official earlier this week when she verbally committed to attend Michigan State University, her dad's alma mater, on a track scholarship.
"It was completely up to me," Coryn laughed when asked if her dad influenced her decision to become a Spartan.
What really made MSU stand out for Marzejon was the location and the program.
"I felt so comfortable there," she said. "I went to a camp there over the summer and I really liked the coaches. I have a lot of family up there so I'll be close to them too."
Marzejon is a three-time state qualifying sprinter. She holds eight Huntley school records, four McHenry County records, 11 county titles, six Fox Valley Conference titles, five sectional championships, five state medals and is a 10-time state qualifier in all events combined. She also holds three Junior Olympic state titles and four Junior Olympic region titles.
She was the Class AA runner-up in the 400 meters last spring after taking third as a sophomore and eighth as a freshman. In the 400 final last spring, she ran a career-best 56.16, just short of the 55.97 run by event champion Casey Short of Naperville Central, also a junior at the time.
Marzejon, who is currently a starter for the Huntley girls basketball team, knows she'll be taking a step up in competition at Michigan State and in the Big Ten Conference.
"It'll definitely be a big step up in competition," she said. "I'm just hoping to have a great experience there. I know it'll be quite different than what I'm used to."
Marzejon also said Michigan State's academic program was what she was looking for.
"I want to go into broadcast journalism and they have a really good program for it," she said.
Marzejon had also received offers from Wisconsin, Purdue, Illinois, Wake Forest, Missouri, Miami of Ohio and Indiana State, among others.