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Marissa Kraus

Colorado Springs Gazette sports reporter. University of Nebraska-Lincoln alum. Missouri native.  Always striving to be the best storyteller I can be. 

What I Do

Journalism is about storytelling, and I am committed to producing impactful storytelling in my sports writing. To do so, I strive to find the human connection that draws readers to subjects in sports. Sports is often dubbed the "universal uniter," after all. 

I have always aspired to be an impactful journalist and take any opportunity to further both my reporting and multimedia skills. In fact, it has become necessary to learn multiple facets of the industry to share and produce stories in the best way possible. As a former student-athlete, I enjoy covering college sports and am particularly passionate about women's sports. However, I feel confident in my ability to cover all levels of sports, whether it is game coverage or an in-depth explainer on a trending topic. 

I recently started a new position as a sports reporter for the Colorado Springs Gazette, covering high school, college and professional sports in the area. My primary beat is Air Force men's basketball but also 

As a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, I worked for The Daily Nebraskan as an assistant sports editor,  sports reporter, and photographer. Since then, I have gained valuable writing and reporting skills and a passion for sports writing from working in multiple large metro newsrooms. During the summer of 2024, I interned at the L.A. Times in Los Angeles on the sports desk, covering the L.A. Sparks WNBA team and writing various features and news items about L.A. sports. 

I have previously interned with the Lincoln Stars hockey team, the Denver Post (SJI class of 2022), the Omaha World-Herald, and the national sports website BVM Sports. These experiences have allowed me to advance my sports media skills, including live event coverage, feature writing, sports photography, and social media. My favorite memory was assisting with Stanley Cup Finals coverage in 2022. These experiences have solidified my passion and desire to pursue a sports-related career.

Furthermore, I am passionate about multimedia and the power of social media to reach a wider audience. Therefore, I would love to find a role that combines my passion for content creation and sports journalism. Storytelling comes in many forms and I look forward to using my creativity to continue covering sports, especially the stories beyond the box score. 

Check out some of my favorite pieces below or the COS Gazette tab for recent work.

Los Angeles Times •

'It's crazy': How Intuit Dome's Halo Board changes Clippers fans' experience

When Clippers owner Steve Ballmer received the first renderings for the Halo Board at Intuit Dome, his first words to Gillian Zucker, the CEO of Halo Sports and Entertainment, were “make it bigger!”That they did, creating a massive video board that will leave any Intuit Dome guest wide-eyed and awestruck. It did for the media and guests who witnessed the unveiling of the Halo Board in Inglewood on Friday.The video board, developed and produced by Daktronics, features the largest-ever, double-sid...
Los Angeles Times •

Nearly a year later, El Segundo's Little League World Series run is still making an impact

After El Segundo gave up a four-run lead on a Curacao grand slam, it was 5-5 in the bottom of the sixth inning. It was still anyone’s game. Except this game was on the biggest stage in amateur baseball: the Little League Baseball World Series championship.“No pressure, just get on base and let your teammates do the rest,” then 12-year-old Louis Lappe recalled thinking as he walked to the plate. “It doesn’t matter how you get on. Just get on.” The first pitch was an outside curveball, the second...
Los Angeles Times •

Sparks snap eight-game losing streak with thrilling overtime win against Aces

When the Sparks’ 10-point lead started to drift away in the fourth quarter Friday night, it seemed like deja vu of Tuesday’s loss. What were once deafening cheers from the stands became a quiet lull as the 13,840 fans at Crypto.com Arena watched the Las Vegas Aces come barreling back.But the Sparks would not, could not, let Tuesday’s fiasco happen again.It took 45 minutes, but the Sparks forced overtime and ultimately prevailed over the Aces on Friday night to snap an eight-game losing streak wi...
Los Angeles Times •

Cameron Brink reflects on achieving her Olympic dream: 'I don't take it lightly'

Before USA Basketball 3x3 national team director Jay Demings officially offered Cameron Brink a spot on the Paris Olympics teams, she was in tears. “Oh my God, oh my God,” she recalled repeating as Demings held up a USA Basketball jersey with her name printed on the back.On Wednesday, USA Basketball announced Brink is part of the 2024 3x3 women’s basketball Paris Olympics roster. Brink is joined by Hailey Van Lith, Cierra Burdick and Rhyne Howard. “My first dream before being a WNBA player was...
The Daily Nebraskan •

Nebraska volleyball sweeps Pitt to advance to National Championship

The DN’s coverage of the NCAA volleyball tournament is presented by Atmosphere Lincoln.

TAMPA — Everything was on the line Thursday night at Amalie Arena for the first semifinal match of the NCAA Volleyball Championship between No. 4 Pitt and No. 1 Nebraska. And you could feel it. Before the athletes even entered the court, the fans, most of whom donned Husker red, were roaring with excitement.

It ended up being a stellar night in Tampa for Nebraska, who swept the Panthers in three sets (25-20
The Daily Nebraskan •

'It's a family thing': the story of Nebraska football’s Luke Reimer

Before he could walk, Nebraska senior linebacker Luke Reimer was being taught pre-snap football stances in his living room by his late father, Wes Reimer.

A home video shows Wes Reimer yelling “Down-hut-hike!” and his son following the command. Another video shows him encouraging Reimer to crawl toward a small plastic football just big enough to fit in his infant hand.

Years later, Reimer is still playing football, just on a bigger stage. From pee wee football to donning the iconic red ‘N’ as
News Nebraska •

Nebraska Warhorse Casino, among others, aim to bring horse racing back to prominence in Nebraska

Husker football dominates the state of Nebraska, but horse racing used to be a close second. From 1919 to 1995, a race track known as Aksarben Race Track in Omaha attracted 30,000 plus fans from all over the country, creating an atmosphere much like that of game day.

After closing due to increased competition in the state, the racing industry in Nebraska declined, according to according to Mike Patterson, a reporter at the Omaha World-Herald who has covered horse racing in Nebraska since the ‘9
The Daily Nebraskan •

Nebraska football suffers blowout 45-7 loss to No. 2 Michigan

It was a textbook definition of a beatdown, with Michigan, notably its defense, showing why it’s No. 2 in the country.

While Nebraska’s defense had hopeful moments here and there, it was no match for the relentless Wolverines, who put up 21 points in the first half and 24 in the second. Nebraska did not force its first three and out until late in the second quarter. On the other hand, Michigan’s defense continued to dominate, limiting the Huskers to 305 total yards and just one successful touch
Omaha World-Herald •

Amid changes, Lincoln East runner Berlyn Schutz's love of the sport never has

Yet Schutz’s love for the sport never waivered. Three year later, she has learned to adjust to her body and is looking to end her prep career on a high note.

During her freshman year in 2019, she was undefeated in the regular season and a favorite to win the Class A state title. Though Schutz missed the individual crown by a second, the Spartans won the team race and she was named the state’s Gatorade cross country runner of the year.

After the 2020 spring track season was canceled due to COVI
Omaha World-Herald •

Nebraska soccer's Sarah Weber aims to get the Huskers back on top

Watson had seen Weber throughout high school, and knew her speed and iron foot were a force to be reckoned with. He also knew she wasn’t going to let anyone beat her.

Weber has been a force on the pitch since joining Gretna Soccer, the club team she played for while being homeschooled until high school. While she was drawn to the team aspect of the sport, she also loved the competition. And winning.

That mentality helped Weber become one of the best high school players in Nebraska, and the acc
thedenverpost •

Drag racers Leah Pruett, Brittany Force reflect on the progress of women in the sport

MORRISON – Top Fuel drag racer Brittany Force is no stranger to winning. In just five seasons Force went from a rookie on the strip to Top Fuel World Champion, the second woman to ever do so.

Force is one of many female drag racers proving that, in a sport that doesn’t separate genders, women don’t just belong, but are integral to the sport’s success.

The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) is the most inclusive racing sport, with 12 women a part of the drag racing organization, many of whom a
thedenverpost •

Friends, family celebrate Sophia Smith’s Colorado homecoming with USWNT

COMMERCE CITY — Jeremy Brandon laughed recalling all of the times he used to excuse Sophia Smith from his class so she could head off to soccer camps and tournaments.

Now, all these years later, the Fossil Ridge High School Spanish teacher can only marvel at what all those extra hours on the pitch have produced.

Brandon was among the 17,143 who crammed into Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday night to watch the U.S. Women’s National Team’s first match in Colorado since 2019 — a 3-0 victory

Watch My Video

In the fall of 2023, I created a multimedia project featuring the No Coast junior roller derby league in Lincoln, Nebraska. This project features an article, photos, and a short documentary about the league. While I have primarily focused on the writing side of journalism, I also enjoy videography and using multimedia as a storytelling tool. 

This video was awarded first place in the Eric Sevareid Awards for Lifestyle or Specialty Programming by the Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association. 

See the full story here: https://www.nebraskanewsservic... 

My Sports Photography

Sports photography has been a love of mine ever since high school. I was a sports photographer for the Daily Nebraskan for two years and hope to continue to grow as an amateur photographer. Check out some of my favorite photos from covering University of Nebraska sports.  

Contact Me

My inbox is always open, you can contact me with the contact form here