By Kate Hamilton, Online Editor-in-Chief
The world has seen some famous “power couples,” such as actors Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, singers Beyonce and Jay-Z, and royals like Prince William and Kate Middleton. These couples have been together for a long time and are well-known in their various industries. The same could be said for First Flight’s latest “power couple,” seniors Dominic Marino and Maggie McNinch, who are known for their shared love of both track and soccer.
Marino and McNinch have been together for two years. They met in eighth grade after Marino moved to the Outer Banks. They had seen each other in the halls but it wasn’t until they found themselves on the same soccer team that sparks began to fly.
“I had the biggest crush on him in eighth grade,” McNinch said. “We played soccer together and I thought he was just the coolest person ever, and him being from France made him even cooler.”
They later became good friends and began seeing each other more. In the summer before their sophomore year, they officially started dating.
“We went to his house, walked his dogs around the neighborhood and went to the beach. We both knew we liked each other so we just kind of made it official,” McNinch said. “The way it happened seems so funny looking back on it now but it’s definitely a good memory.”
Over the span of two years, the couple has spent a lot of time together and has been able to acquire a lot of memories. From the small stuff like watching a movie together to bigger adventures, all of it has been special and meaningful.
“It’s hard to choose a specific favorite memory but I would probably say when we went to New Mexico together over the summer,” McNinch said. “We had so much fun riding horses and climbing the mesas, but really just being around him makes me happy.”
Both Marino and McNinch share a passion for soccer. Marino plays for the school during the fall, while McNinch plays during the spring. As the years have passed, they both have been there cheering each other on.
“Maggie and I play the same sports, so it’s a great way to connect because whether it be during track season where we are traveling to meets and practicing together or me going to watch one of her soccer games, we get to spend time with each other and are able to give each other good advice,” Marino said.
Since school soccer only lasts for a season, both Marino and McNinch are able to continue to participate in other sports and leagues throughout the year. They both play on travel soccer teams and participate in school track.
“At the (track) meets, it’s fun because we cheer each other on and are there to support each other,” McNinch said. “He always calms me down before I go to the starting line and afterwards he’s there to celebrate with me, and I do the same for him.”
While they spend a lot of time together on the field and the track, they also enjoy spending quality one-on-one time with just each other.
“We like to go out to eat and our favorite place is probably Josephine’s,” Marino said. “We also like to just chill at our houses and I’ve gotten her into anime, so we’ll watch anime together, too.”
Marino and McNinch are both leaders on their soccer and track teams. They have many peers who look up to them and know they can count on them to lift their spirits.
“I love how happy Maggie and Dom both are and how they are both encouraging and uplifting towards themselves and others around them,” senior Mya Salch said.
Close friend and teammate, senior Colin Byard, has known this couple since the beginning and has watched their relationship grow.
“They are just always with each other and supporting each other,” Byard said. “They both increasingly got better at soccer and over time they hung out more and left less time for me and Dom,” he added with a laugh.
Senior year is often the highlight of students’ careers, but it’s even more enjoyable when you have someone special to share it with. As Marino and McNinch finish out their senior year, they will be there for each other and look forward to supporting each other in the future.
“I will definitely be there to support him and plan on going to his games if he decides to play in college,” McNinch said. “I just love watching him play and I’m excited to see what awesome things he can accomplish.”
Marino echoes similar thoughts: “Maggie’s pretty amazing and I’m looking forward to seeing where our relationship goes.”
Senior Kate Hamilton can be reached at 22Hamiltonka86@daretolearn.org.
