Cornell University Athletics

Senior Season — 2016-17
Cusick became the program's first Ivy League Player of the Year since 1996, wrapping up her collegiate career at the forefront a historic season that culminated in its first Ivy League title, a national ranking of No. 49 and a matching of the program record with 15 dual-match victories. Competing exclusively at the No. 1 singles position, Cusick was 13-5 in dual matches and posted a sparkling record of 6-1 in league matches to earn a spot on the All-Ivy League singles first team for a second straight year. The team-named most valuable player won 10 of her final 11 matches to be played to completion, including a three-set victory over nationally-ranked Kana Daniel, of Penn. In doubles, Cusick was also 9-8 when paired with classmate Alexandra D’Ascenzo at the No. 1 spot. Cusick was later named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Most Improved Player for the Northeast Region. The award is presented annually to a senior in the region. ... In fall tournament matches, Cusick and D'Ascenzo won 12 consecutive doubles matches before a setback in the Round of 32 at the USTA/ITA Northeast Regionals. The duo won 'A' Flight titles in both the Cornell Invitational and Penn's Cissie Leary Invitational. Cusick was also 7-5 in singles, including a victory over a nationally-ranked opponent from William & Mary. Cusick later garnered Spring Academic All-Ivy honors.

Junior Season — 2015-16
Cusick earned All-Ivy League first team honors after posting a 3-4 record in Ivy League play, with six of those seven appearances coming from the No. 1 position. She finished the season 11-11 overall in dual matches, with all but one of those matches coming from the No. 1 spot. Cusick is the Big Red's first All-Ivy first team singles selection since Suzanne Wright's last of three such honors in 2002. Cusick was also 11-10 in singles, most frequently appearing at the No. 1 position alongside Alexandra D'Ascenzo or Lizzie Stewart. ... During fall tournaments, Cusick was 13-3 in singles with a run into the semifinals of the USTA/ITA Northeast Regionals in October. She also finished second in the 1st Singles bracket at the West Point Invitational.

Sophomore Season — 2014-15
Cusick was named the Big Red's most valuable player at the team's postseason banquet. For a second straight year, Cusick led the team in singles victories. Her 13-5 record in dual matches included an 11-2 mark from the No. 3 position and a spectacular 10-match winning streak from Feb. 21 to April 12. She was 6-1 in Ivy League matches, including a dramatic victory over Columbia's Rima Asatrian on March 28 to give the Big Red the clinching point in a 4-3 win over the nationally-ranked Lions. She also amassed a 10-7 record in doubles, including a pair of Ancient Eight victories while paired with Jane Stewart at the No. 3 position. ... In fall tournament play, Cusick was 8-2 in singles with a trip to the Round of 64 in the USTA/ITA Northeast Regionals. She was also 8-1 in doubles, with a 'B' bracket title at the Cornell Fall Invitational.

Freshman Season — 2013-14
Cusick led the team in singles victories with a 12-5 record in dual matches, and she was also part of a four-way tie for the most doubles victories with an 8-7 mark. She competed at the No. 2 or No. 3 position throughout the year in singles, including a 7-0 record in March. The final victory in that stretch was against Columbia's Bianca Sanon, kicking off Cusick's 4-3 record in Ivy League matches. She primarily appeared at the No. 1 spot in doubles with classmate Alexandra D'Ascenzo. The duo was 1-4 in Ivy matches, defeating Dartmouth's Taylor Ng and Katherine Yau. ... In fall tournament play, Cusick was 13-3 in singles with a three-match sweep of the Akron Invitational and an 'A' bracket title at the Cornell Winter Invitational. Cusick was 8-3 in tournament doubles, competing with five different partners. She and D'Ascenzo won the 'A' bracket of the Cornell Winter Invitational, dropping just five games over three matches.

Prior to Cornell
Cusick joins the Big Red after competing for four years with Hinsdale Central HS, which has one of the top programs in Illinois. Cusick helped Hinsdale Central win the Illinois High School Association’s team title in 2009 and 2011, with runner-up performances in 2010 and 2012. Cusick won consecutive state doubles titles in 2010 and 2011, also advancing to the state semifinals in both 2009 and 2012. She was an all-state first team selection in all four of her varsity seasons, also serving as captain as a senior. Cusick was also named an AP Scholar with Distinction, was a member of the National Latin Honor Society, and was presented IHSA All-State Honors, the IHSA Academic Award, IHSA Scholar-Athlete honors, and a High Honors Graduate Award. Cusick was ranked second in Illionis and 35th nationally by the Tennis Recruiting Network.
 
Personal
Marika Mae Cusick is the daughter of David and Mika Cusick, and she has a younger brother. She is enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.