SACO (NEWS CENTER Maine) -- Olympic snowboarder Julia Marino visited Maine Saturday, in part, for a fundraiser tonight at Thornton Academy.
Marino is from Westport, Connecticut, but her mother, Elaine, and Elaine's five siblings all attended T.A., and many still live in Saco.
Trojan alumni are trying to raise $3 million in total for a new sports complex, including a field house with a track and basketball courts, as well as a golf simulator. Julia's grandfather, Pual Sullivan, graduated from the school in 1933, and was an avid golfer. The Paul Sullivan Golf Enrichment Fund donated money to help T.A. purchase a golf simulator, as one of many donors.
Marino says the major investment from the school will help students get to the next level in their sports.
"Having a good support system is important to get to higher levels, and that's exactly what the school is trying to do. Having good facilities is really key to becoming the best athlete you can," said Marino.
Her season is winding down, but she says this one of very few opportunities she's had to take a break from her intense training, and she's preparing to compete in big air in the X-Games in Norway on MAy 19.
Marino's mother, Elaine, said Big Air Fenway is reportedly going to be held on December 7, 2019. Julia will compete as retuning champion, and the whole Marino family plans to attend.