Gymnastics: Piscataway's Troi Marshall voted MyCentralJersey.com Athlete of Week

Piscataway's Troi Marshall has been through a lot for the sake of her high school gymnastics career. 

Marshall competed on the Chiefs' varsity gymnastics team her freshman and sophomore year, but then decided to transfer to Bishop Ahr for her junior year. She chose the Trojans, a perennial Greater Middlesex Conference and state tournament powerhouse, "Mostly for the gymnastics team because they have a really good record, and I just thought I should try that," she said. "I loved the school and I loved the team, but it just didn’t feel like home to me, I missed all of my friends and I missed walking the P-Way hallways."

MEDIA BLITZ: WEEK 6 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FRENZY

VOLLEYBALL: BALSAMO, HOROWITZ SET RECORDS AT EAST BRUNSWICK

Marshall, who qualified for the state tournament at Bishop Ahr and won a North Group II title with team, decided to return home to Piscataway for her senior year. 

But unfortunately for Marshall, NJSIAA transfer rules state that an athlete has to sit out for 30 days after transferring, so she missed almost a whole season after having to sit out at Bishop Ahr and again when she returned to Piscataway.

"I definitely think that it made me stronger and it made me more determined to want to do well once I did started competing because I knew I didn’t have that much time," Marshall said. "So that definitely motivated me."

The senior finally got her chance to compete on Oct. 2 when Piscataway participated in a tri-meet with Seneca and Passaic Valley. In her first meet back, Marshall won the all-around with a 34.405, the vault (9.25) and the floor exercise (8.8). She came in second in the balance beam and uneven bars. 

"I honestly did not expect that at all, it felt amazing," Marshall said of her performance, which helped the Chiefs win the meet. "It felt great, I loved it, I just felt that’s what I was supposed to do. The excitement of competing again, it just felt like I was supposed to do that all along."

In a loss to East Brunswick on Oct. 5, Marshall again won the all-around, the vault and floor exercise. 

Marshall, who was voted this week's MyCentralJersey.com Athlete of the Week with 41.03 percent of the vote, also was  voted team captain for this season, which came as a complete surprise. 

"I was shocked that they actually made me captain, I didn’t think I was going to be named, it feels really good," Marshall said. "I did feel a little bit of pressure at first because I didn’t really know the team that well, and I had to work extra hard to get to know the team as well as help them, but then it got easier and we’re super close, and I think they all look up to me at this point."

With Marshall back, Piscataway (3-6) is looking to keep competing and getting better in the hopes of qualifying for the state tournament. The Chiefs also are looking for a strong showing at the GMC Tournament, which will be held Oct. 21 at South Brunswick.

"The team and her old friends are so excited she’s back and we’ve see a difference in our score because of her," Piscataway head coach Noelle Hartje said. "She’s definitely a complete all-around hard worker, she’s down to earth, takes good instruction, she’s a good kid, always happy, has fun with her teammates and is a good leader and role model.

"I would say all of the qualities help the team and the girls, she’s an inspiration for the younger girls. She helps with whatever we need as far as showing a skill, and she’s just really a go-to kid if you need something or have a question or need a demo. It’s, 'Hey Troi can you help with this,' and she’s always willing to do it."

Staff Writer Lauren Knego: lknego@gannettnj.com; on Twitter: @laurenknego