Recently graduated
Cleveland (Rio Rancho) track standout
Luis Martinez isn't just a hard person to catch on the track — he's even tougher to track down off the oval.
Martinez, 17, doesn't own a cell phone — his parents won't let him have one just yet — which makes getting a hold of one of the greatest runners in New Mexico history all the more difficult. How appropriate, because the Oklahoma State-bound Martinez has been virtually untouchable throughout a standout prep career, which culminated last weekend in the New Mexico State Track and Field Championships on the campus of the University of New Mexico.
Luis Martinez, Rio Rancho
Photo courtesy of Rio Rancho Public Schools
Martinez wrapped up a decorated high school career, winning 5A state titles in the 1,600 and 3,200-meter events. All told, the 5-foot-10, 135-pound Martinez won eight individual state titles: three in cross country, three at 3,200 meters and two at 1,600 meters.
Martinez's latest victory in the 1,600 was syrupy sweet, as he set a 5A record in 4 minutes, 11.66 seconds. Making the win all the more rewarding was the fact that Martinez couldn't run the 1,600 last year due to a hip injury.
"From the beginning of the year, I knew I could run the mile fast," Martinez said. "I actually thought it would be easier to get the state record in the two mile, but it didn't work out that way."
Things ended up working out just fine for Martinez, who ran the 800 meters as a freshman and didn't even run cross country until his sophomore year. In other words, it took a while before Martinez started to fully grasp the depths of his enormous potential.
Make no mistake: Martinez trains as hard as anybody, but the 3.98 GPA student also pointed out that plenty of other runners practice as hard as he does, yet fail to see the same results.
"Winning races takes a combination of the three (talent, work ethic and mental toughness), but I feel talent plays the biggest part in it," he said.
To which Cleveland track and field coach Kenny Henry vehemently disagrees.
"Luis is obviously blessed with some natural ability, but I can't even think of one time when he didn't have a quality workout," Henry said. "In fact, I can't even think of one bad day as far as his training is concerned. So he not only works incredibly hard, but he's incredibly focused. It says a lot of his preparation, but his greatest attribute is his competitiveness. He's hell-bent on winning and being successful."
Martinez knows what it takes to overcome the stresses that come with being an elite-level runner. A couple weeks prior to last year's state meet, Martinez suffered a hip injury that still lingers today. Despite being in obvious pain, Martinez won the 3,200 in 9:41, by far the slowest time he's posted in winning a race.
"Two laps in, and I was limping pretty bad," he said.
The physical pain, however, didn't compare with the mental anguish Martinez had to endure. For the rest of May and June, Martinez couldn't run. Even in July, Martinez was limited to some very light running along with sessions on a recumbent bicycle whenever his hip started acting up. Martinez is like a shark: If he stops moving, he dies.
"I was really bummed out," Martinez said. "It's not a good feeling when you're a runner and you can't run."
Despite all of his accomplishments, Martinez is just beginning to see the fruits of his labor.
"I think he's barely scratched the surface of what he's capable of doing," Henry said. "We don't do a ton of miles (compared to the collegiate level), and with an increase in volume in his training, Luis can improve so much more. It's really going to be hard to catch him then."
Of that, there is no doubt.
