Saturday, May 4, 2024
Gatesville High School senior Carlo Martinez has already accomplished so much, but there is so much more he wants to achieve.
Already a strong student and an outstanding athlete, recognized as one of the best distance runners in Texas and the nation, Martinez still has lofty goals.
He hopes to do well at the state meet later this fall and continue running cross country at the college level. Participating in the Olympics and becoming a doctor of physical therapy are also goals Martinez would like to achieve.
Just how did he become a champion runner?
"It took a breakup, a lot of hitting the gym and a lot of running," Martinez said. He said the end of a romantic relationship helped to spark his ambition to achieve more athletically.
"Once I did that, I dedicated myself to do my best, and I run every single day," he said. "It's my passion, really. I was never really motivated to run before then, but I had to get my frustration out somewhere. I did that by spending time in the weight room and running – something I loved. That was the summer after my sophomore year."
Martinez said he started running in seventh grade but never won his cross country meets as a junior high student.
"I ran a 5:55 mile in sixth grade so I thought I'd be good at cross country, and it was fun. It's been great bonding with the team and riding together to different meets," he said. "Although I never won in junior high, I always had fun running."
As far as a routine, Martinez said he has five or six different pairs of shoes for different running situations and special running socks that help prevent blisters.
His preferred drink is cucumber lime Gatorade, although he has an occasional soda.
"I really eat anything I want," Martinez said. "I don't worry about too many calories because I need to burn calories."
He sometimes listens to music while running, which he said helps to motivate and push him. However, he said he has been challenging himself to have that same type of drive and motivation without the benefit of music.
He said he also does not let himself get distracted by allowing his mind to wander and think about different sorts of things while running.
"I think about the minutes, the miles and the time I need to get before I move on to the next competition," Martinez said.
He often runs six miles, setting a slower but steady pace of 9-10 minutes, he said.
One of his favorite events was the last race of his junior year.
"It was the first time I broke the 16-minute mark – I ran a 15:56 in the 5K, '' Martinez said. "That was my best race of the season.”
However, it was another race that helped push Martinez to the next level in distance running.
"The race that did it all for me was at the Bill Bradley Gatesville Invitational my sophomore year," he said. "It was the first time I beat Luis Macias in a cross country race, and that helped me realize my potential."
The Gatesville community has rallied around Martinez and celebrates his achievements, which he said is something he appreciates.
"It's nice to be recognized by the community, and I love getting support from so many people here. I'll be working at Walmart and someone will recognize me and tell me they've been keeping up with me and tell me I'm doing a great job. It's rewarding to have people talk about me and my efforts."
Martinez said he is not naturally gifted when it comes to running, and that it has taken a lot of hard work and commitment to achieve what he has done.
"I have really had to work for it," he said.
Martinez was born in California, then lived in Mexico for four years before moving to Gatesville with his grandmother. He started kindergarten here and has many lifelong friends through attending Gatesville schools.
"When I came here, I spoke only Spanish," Martinez recalled. Now he has a 3.3 grade point average and is as dedicated to his schoolwork as he is to athletics.
"This is a small school and I treasure the experiences I've had here," he said. "I love the friendships I have. They're something I'd like to keep forever. People joke with me but they support me and I support them. It's not a take situation, it's about giving."
Martinez said he is hoping to set records that will be a difficult challenge for anyone to meet or exceed.
"I want to make it impossible for anyone to break my records in Gatesville, so if someone does break them, it will be something really big for them to do," he said.
Martinez has already received two full college scholarship offers – one from the University of Texas at Tyler and another from Southern Arkansas University, and that he is talking to other college scouts.
Although Martinez has already proven himself as an excellent runner, he said he still gets nervous before a run.
"I have to make sure I have the right mental approach," he said. "I sometimes have to fight myself mentally. You have to train your body but also your brain."
Martinez said the challenge of other outstanding runners helps him do better, as well.
"I actually need strong competition," he said. "I need to drop about 30 seconds off my time, and competition is a big part of success in cross country."
Martinez is also a member of the defending district champion tennis team. Last year, he played doubles with Alex Scott, and this year he is matched up with Slone Early.
"Tennis is also something I really enjoy," he said. "I stay busy with school, cross country, tennis, working at Walmart and being a member of Student Council and trying to be part of Junior Ambassadors" (a program through the Gatesville Chamber of Commerce).
Martinez credits several coaches and teachers with helping to encourage and motivate him.
"They're always rooting for me," he said.
Martinez lives with his mother and stepfather, Sarai and Jacob Padgett, and has three younger siblings. Vania Martinez is a sophomore, MJ Martinez is a seventh grader and Luke Padgett is in kindergarten.
He said he sees plenty of talent and potential for success in them.
Martinez also wants to encourage younger student-athletes to do their best.
"My advice to new runners is to just work at it – you won't see big improvements without work," he said. "It's also important that they don't get discouraged. If you keep a positive outlook and a smile, everything will be fine. Ignore the negative people and just trust in God. God, family and your community are very important."
Wherever Martinez travels on life's journey, he said he will always cherish Gatesville.
"I couldn't be more proud to be a Gatesville Hornet," he said. "I am blessed to be from here and thankful for this community."
