Cross Country: Martinez Putting Injuries Behind Him

Staff photo PAUL BOYD David Martinez, Rogers Heritage junior, clocked a personal best 5K time of 17 minutes, 7.43 seconds on Saturday at the Missouri Southern Stampede in Joplin, Mo.
Staff photo PAUL BOYD David Martinez, Rogers Heritage junior, clocked a personal best 5K time of 17 minutes, 7.43 seconds on Saturday at the Missouri Southern Stampede in Joplin, Mo.

ROGERS -- Rogers Heritage cross country coach Jeff Shaw saw some potential in David Martinez, but he never saw it realized a year ago because of chronic knee problems.

This year is a different story.

Profile

David Martinez

School: Rogers Heritage

Height: 5-3

Weight: 113

Class: Junior

Notable: Struggled with knee problems his freshman and sophomore years to the point he didn’t compete in a cross country race at all the last two years. … Ran personal best 5-kilometer time of 17 minutes, 7.43 seconds last weekend at the Missouri Southern Stampede in Joplin.

The small, slender junior clocked a personal best 5K time of 17 minutes, 7.43 seconds on Saturday and was the first War Eagle to cross at the Missouri Southern Stampede in Joplin.

Martinez was a little disappointed he didn't break the 17-minute barrier, but Shaw was pleased with his progress in just his third varsity race.

"Gosh, that's a PR for him by almost a minute," Shaw said. "I think he's just now figuring out he can run a little bit. We're really pleased with what he's done so far. We've been kinda expecting it, but with the knee issues and things he hasn't really been able to run for us the last two years.

"He's done a great job this year."

Martinez started with a 17:51.86 5K time at the Memphis Twilight Classic, then went down to 17:46.08 at Carthage, Mo., two weeks ago. He bettered that mark by almost 40 seconds in Joplin.

"I still second-guess myself some, but I think I have more confidence in myself," Martinez said. "Last year, it was a back and forth thing. I was lacking confidence and then if I got a little confidence the knee would kill it."

Shaw also said the maturity has helped him figure out the difference in being injured and pushing through some little aches and pains that are part of training.

"He's been on the team two years and started out during the summer workouts doing pretty well," Shaw said. "We expect things from him and he ends up getting hurt. He's had a few bangs this year, but nothing major. He's really come on.

"This year maybe he's a little tougher mentally. Little aches and pans, he can run through.

Martinez agreed.

"As a freshman I was so afraid of a little pain," Martinez said. "Now I know I can just push through and keep going."

However, he also credited strong competition among his Heritage teammates that helped push him to run faster times.

"We have formed a good bond through all those summer workouts," Martinez said. "We push each other. Everybody wants to lead the pack."

Shaw agreed with his assessment of the boys team.

"That boys team is a very competitive bunch," Shaw said. "They want to beat each other. That's a good thing."

His confidence has grown a bit with each race this year, Martinez said.

"At Memphis it was a little overwhelming, my first race," Martinez said. "Then Carthage was a little better. I cut around 10 seconds off my time from Memphis."

Martinez started fast at Joplin, then struggled at times in the middle, but finished strong to be Heritage's runner to cross. He was even surprised.

"Yeah, I was looking around for my teammates and I never saw anyone later in the race," Martinez said. "I just kept going as hard as I could."

Martinez is pleased with his performances thus far, but also said he's not near finished.

"Oh I want to break that 17-minute barrier and keep getting faster," Martinez said.

Shaw also has lots more planned for the junior.

"Oh I don't think he's no where near reached his potential," Shaw said. "Getting him into the 16s this year would be good and he's only a junior."

The future appears bright for Martinez after putting those achy knees in the past.

Sports on 09/25/2014

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