Pioneer Athlete Spotlight: Alex Martinez

Grade: Senior, School: Clayton Valley Charter, Sports: Cross Country, Track

Martinez is an inspiration and a leader to everyone she runs with (or runs in front of)! Although she entered Clayton Valley Charter primarily as a softball player, she was drawn to running as a freshman and hasn’t looked back since. She has spent three years on varsity cross country and two years on varsity track, along with two years of trap shooting and one year of softball.

“I love the competition, friends and how running makes me feel. I have made some of my closest friends through track and cross country. I also have some of the best coaches ever.” Anthony Munch, head cross country coach and CVCHS history/psychology teacher, describes Martinez as “one of the most devoted athletes I have coached since she started running year-round as a sophomore. She is very encouraging to new and returning runners alike. She showed great leadership ability at a young age and I knew she was going to be a team captain before her sophomore year was over.”

And Munch was right: Alex’s senior year is her second year as a cross country team captain. When Alex isn’t on running trails or the track, her school work, part-time job and extracurriculars keep her schedule packed. Martinez maintains above a 4.0 GPA and has been on the honor roll in all her years at Clayton Valley. She is a member of Lawn Chair Club, Spikeball Club and Christian Club as well serving as a junior class representative in ASB Leadership last year. Martinez hopes to receive a scholarship so she can run in college and pursue a career in art.

CVCHS student journalist Alexa Oldham wrote this Spotlight.

The Pioneer congratulates Alex and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for 25 years at Family Vision Care Optometry. www.laceyandruzicka.com

Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@concordpioneer.com.