Andrew Martinez

Winter Track

Senior

Races: 600m, 4x400m Relay, 800m

Personal Records:

600m: 1:23.8

4x400m Relay: 52.5

800m: 1:59.5

Recent Performance:

Martinez participated in the Millrose Games at The Armory in New York City on Saturday Feb. 8, where he set his personal record (PR) for the 600m race (1:23.8). Due to Martinez not performing to his usual standards in his only 600m race this year, he was not initially invited to the Millrose Games.

“[Coach John Murtaugh] had to kind of pull some strings for me,” Martinez said. “When he got me in, I was pretty pumped up and I knew I was going to PR.”

At the Millrose Games, Martinez spent time with former PV runner Ben Malone, who went on to run at Villanova and eventually run a sub four-minute mile.

“I’ve met [Malone] before, but not in that vicinity,” Martinez said. “Watching him go out there and run [the 800m race] in two minutes like it was nothing was pretty cool to see.”

Martinez as a 3-Season Athlete:

Martinez runs both winter and spring track, along with playing football in the fall.

“One of my biggest things is always staying active,” Martinez said.

Even though Martinez will not be playing football in college, he will be pursuing his track career.

“Track is going to lead me to the most success, so that is what I’m going to be doing in college,” Martinez said.

Contributions to the Team:

Martinez participates in the Sprint Medley Relay, a race in which he and three teammates run races of different distances. The relay starts with the 400m, followed by two 200m races, and ends with the 800m. Eddie Mercurio runs the 400m, Oren Roznitsky and Michael Supple run the 200m races, and Martinez caps off the relay with the 800m.

The foursome completed the race in 3:38.4 at the New Balance Games on Jan. 18, which was enough to meet the requirement of 3:40 to qualify for nationals.

“It was pretty exciting when I crossed [the finish line] and we knew we got [less than 3:40],” Martinez said. “Nationals are at The Armory, so if people want to come watch us, they can.”

End of Season Goals:

On Saturday, the track team participated in the North 1, Group 3 Sectional meet. Anyone who placed in the top 6 will move onto another meet that includes all schools in Group 3. Anyone who qualifies at that meet will move onto the State Meet of Champions.

What Martinez Likes Most About Track:

Martinez enjoys the training that comes with track, and likes how it pushes him to be the best runner he can be.

“To be good at track, you have to love the grind,” Martinez said. “You’re blessed with your given talent, but then you have to work hard to get where you want to be.”

Best Sport Memory:

During his sophomore year, Martinez broke 2:00 for the first time in the 800m, which he said is his best memory from track.

Proudest Moment:

Martinez said winning First Team All-County for the 600m during his junior year is his proudest moment. On Wednesday Feb. 12, he defended his title by winning the award yet again.

Best Thing About PV:

To Martinez, the best thing about PV is the support that everyone has for each other.

“There are so many things to offer that you can always find your path in your four years here,” Martinez said.

Favorite Netflix show:

“How to Get Away With Murder”

What he's been streaming:

In track season, Martinez has been listening to more rap music, specifically DaBaby and J. Cole.

Pre-game Meals:

The night before a meet, Martinez always eats pasta and broccoli with butter in order to “carb up” before a meet. On the day of the meet, Martinez usually gets a bagel in order to avoid eating something unhealthy when he goes out for lunch.

What He Does In His Free Time:

Martinez enjoys doing anything athletic in his free time, as he likes to stay active all the time

Role Models:

In track, Robby Andrews is Martinez’s role model because of the style in which he runs his races.

“[Andrews] is that guy who sits in the back of the pack and comes out of nowhere and just takes it from everyone else,” Martinez said.

Martinez used to follow Andrews’ style of running, but says that this year he has been getting ahead early in the race, and trying to hold onto the lead throughout the rest of the race.

In life, however, Martinez’s father and coach John Murtaugh are his role models.

“He has done so much for me,” Martinez said. ‘Putting me before himself all the time.”

Future Plans:

Martinez has committed to St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia to continue his track career at a Division I school.

“I’m pumped,” Martinez said. “It was my dream to go Division I. It’s very exciting.”