SPORTS
STORM CENTER COLUMN: Martinez makes waves in Iowa
Sam Martinez has hit her stride.
Martinez is a former Bowie High School athlete. For the Lady Rabbits, she began her scholastic career playing volleyball, tennis and softball.
But, she fell in love with running and cross country has become her passion.
These days, Martinez is a double major at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, studying both philosophy and Spanish.
This past November, Martinez burst onto the national scene with a 19th-place finish at the 2014 NCAA Division III Championships at Kings Island Golf Center in Mason, Ohio.
Martinez covered the 6-kilometer course in 22 minutes, 17.5 seconds, which was good enough for 19th spot in a field of 275 runners.
Because Martinez placed inside the top-20, she was named an All-American. This marks the first time a Cornell women’s cross country runner has achieved such status.
Not bad since this was the first time Martinez competed at the national meet. This was Cornell’s second highest individual finish ever.
“Sam was not even top-100 in the region two years ago, and now she is top-20 in the nation and an All-American,” Cornell head coach Dan Schofer said. “She has worked hard and earned everything she’s gotten this season.”
This was one of the few occasions in which Martinez was speechless.
“After crossing the finish line at the National meet in Ohio, I didn’t have words to express how I felt,” she said. “That race was just incredible. I don’t remember much, but the start and the finish.”
Martinez remembered coach Schofer yelling at her to stay with the lead pack, and that she was in prime position to do something memorable. Read more in the weekend Bowie News.
Editor’s Note: The Storm Center column is the expressed written views of sports editor Eric Viccaro and not The Bowie News.
Cornell College student-athlete Sam Martinez competes for the Rams. (Courtesy photo from Cornell Sports Information/Kerry Kahl)
New Saint Jo Boy’s Basketball Coach Terry McLennan said the school’s family atmosphere is what prompted him to join the Panther family.
“This is an opportunity to be an important program but also part of a great community,” McLennan said. “I’ve been looking to get back to a small town environment like the one I grew up in and played ball and this should do that.”
McLennan played basketball in Hubbard outside of Waco. McLennan comes to town after being the assistant girl’s basketball coach in Grand Prairie.
McLennan contends he’s a defensive style of coach but says his team will focus on intensity.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
New Saint Jo Boy’s Basketball Coach Terry McLennan said the school’s family atmosphere is what prompted him to join the Panther family.
“This is an opportunity to be an important program but also part of a great community,” McLennan said. “I’ve been looking to get back to a small town environment like the one I grew up in and played ball and this should do that.”
McLennan played basketball in Hubbard outside of Waco. McLennan comes to town after being the assistant girl’s basketball coach in Grand Prairie.
McLennan contends he’s a defensive style of coach but says his team will focus on intensity.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
After some coaching time in East Texas, Bret Botard will be the new girl’s basketball coach at Bowie.
Botard said it’s a chance to work with Bowie Athletic Director Tyler Price once again. Price was Botard’s assistant when he coached at Nocona.
“I wanted to get back into the area,” Botard said. “It’s a good community.”
Botard graduated high school in 1995 from Del Valle High School, outside Austin, and went to Texas Tech. He started his coaching career in Lubbock followed by returning to his alma mater where he was an assistant for his high school coach.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
-
NEWS3 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS4 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS3 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS3 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS3 years agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
Show us something good9 years agoCountry music star children perform in Bowie
-
NEWS3 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
100th Birthday4 years agoLooking back at the 1958 Centennial edition of The Bowie News