Get to Know Thiel College Cheerleader, Marissa Gulnac

Name: Marissa Gulnac

Hometown: Ridgway, Pennsylvania

High School: Ridgway Area High School

High School Sports: Cheerleading, Gymnastics, Volleyball

High School Accolades: 10-time varsity letter winner, four-time gymnastics state qualifier, eighth place finish in states on beam, top 15 finishes on vault and floor, two-time PIAA state qualifier in cheerleading with her competition team (once with Ridgway and once with Johnsonburg as a part of a cheerleading co-op), and a District 9 champion in cheerleading.

College Sport: Cheerleading

College: Thiel College

Why She Chose Thiel: “Thiel was one of the colleges I was considering out of high school, but they did not offer my major. I was originally attending Pittsburgh Career Institute for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, but in November 2022, the school permanently closed. I had met coach Randall Burnett my senior year of high school when he choreographed my cheer routine. While attending school in Pittsburgh I would go to Thiel on weekends to visit friends and watch Thiel Cheer. I had missed cheerleading truly so much from high school, and was already considering changing my major. So I ultimately decided to attend Thiel for exercise science on the pre- physical therapy track and return to the sport that I had loved and missed so much.”

Current Major and Future Plans: Nursing major with plans to become a pediatric nurse. She also has a coaching minor which she intends to use to coach cheerleading and gymnastics. She is a gymnastics coach in Greenville at Greenville Gymnastics Center and hopes that she can coaching on the side in the future past college.

Cheerleading Beginnings: “I started cheering when I was four or five years old. It was so long ago I can’t even remember exactly what age I was. I began cheering for the Ridgway Rockets youth football organization in elementary school and did sideline cheer for football, basketball, and wrestling all the way through high school. I began competition cheer when I was in seventh grade starting with just competing as a single stunt group with my closest teammates and friends.”

What Returning to Cheer Has Meant: “It was definitely something to adapt to going from just a regular student to a student-athlete, but I am so fortunate to attend a school that actually allows you to be a student first. At Thiel, I am able to put my academics first, while also doing something I love. It’s one of the best perks of being at an NCAA Division III school. Being able to cheer again has been so amazing and I have never been a part of a better team. My team provides so much support both on and off the mat, and Coach Randy (Burnett) has been a rock for me during my time at Thiel. Thiel College cheer is not just a team, it’s a family. I’m so thankful to be a part of this program and am proud to be a leader as a team captain.”

Greek Life Involvement: “I was always the person who said they would never join a sorority, but it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am in Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, Zeta Beta Chapter where I am currently the Vice President of Academic Achievement, Vice President of Administration, and Judicial Chair. Our philanthropy is Breast Cancer Education and Awareness, Women’s health is something that I have always been passionate about and I love being a part of something bigger than myself. Through my sorority, I was also lucky enough to meet my big, Toby Atwood. On July 20, 2025, Toby unexpectedly passed away while running a half marathon, something she truly loved doing. Toby taught me so much when it came to Greek Life, academics, and life in general. Because of her, I truly have a much bigger appreciation for the sisterhood my sorority offers than ever before.”

Top Cheerleading Memories: “My top cheer memories are definitely competing at National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) college nationals in Daytona, Florida. Thiel has placed top three in the nation for the Spirit Rally Division III for the last four years. This past year, we placed third overall in our division and received our highest score ever of 93.675. Of all divisions, I, II, III, and NAIA, we had the fifth highest score. There is nothing like walking off the mat of your last performance with that specific team and knowing that you all gave it your all.”

Her Support System: “Some of my biggest supporters have been my coaches. All of my coaches along the way have had such an impact on me and I wouldn’t be a college cheerleader without them. My mom, who was at every Friday night football game and cheer competition for years, I also cannot thank enough. My dad, stepmom, grandparents, aunts, and siblings have always been there to support me as well. I am a big sister to three, and my only sister, Lexi, my mini me, is an amazing cheerleader at such a young age. Watching her is motivation to me.

Special Surprise: “On a recent trip, Gulnac got engaged to her fiancée, A.J. Trobek. Trobek is a two-time Thiel graduate himself and a Thiel College men’s soccer alumni.