ELSA — In two years, Krysta Martinez has already accomplished what most high school athletes only dream of.
The Edcouch-Elsa junior cross country runner has won five straight individual district championships, qualified for the Class 4A state meet each of the last two years, and earned a trip to nationals last season.
But Martinez figures she has more in store before her storybook career comes to an end.
“This year I want to break my (personal) time and place at least top three in state,” Martinez said. “It feels good doing what I’ve done, but I have more goals and I have to keep pushing myself.”
Martinez finished 12th at state last season after finishing 27th her freshman year. That is a considerable leap, and she’s working another big leap this season.
Martinez’s workouts include running six miles in the mornings before hitting the weights, and then running another three miles in the afternoon.
“There’s a lot of competition,” she said. “State is somewhere you have to work harder than you ever have before. It takes a lot of focus, and I’m already there.
“I’m going to have to fight to get where I want to be.”
Edcouch-Elsa girls cross country coach Juan Perez III said that should be no problem.
“She has more experience,” Perez said. “That’s the biggest thing. Nothing is surprising anymore. She puts in the time and she has the talent.
“There are people who just get by on talent, but she also works hard, and that’s why she is where she is.”
Martinez set a personal record of 18:05 last season, but, of course by her standards, it’s not good enough. She’s aiming for at least a 17:45.
“The goal is always to improve on what she’s done before,” Perez said. “It’s not going to be easy. People know who she is, and there are other athletes who will be hungry, trying to beat her.
“She’s done well these last two years, and hopefully we continue to build on that.”
From the time she started running in seventh grade, becoming enamored with the sport when she watched her cousin Fabian Garza compete at his own meets, to now, Martinez has improved her pacing and finishing kicks.
Her final mile is often as strong, if not stronger, than her first.
“She has speed and endurance, and that’s hard to find,” Perez said. “She’s a strong finisher and she’s learning how to run her race. She’s a more mature runner.”
Martinez desires to run at the University of Oregon, known for its premier running programs. That is her ultimate dream. First, however, she has unfinished business as a Yellow Jacket, and there is no telling what story is told when it’s all said and done.
“I know I can’t be content with success,” she said. “I can get better, I can do more. I have to keep working hard and pushing harder.
“Nothing will be given to me because of what I’ve already done.”
=============================
Here are six runners to keep an eye on as the 2014 cross country season approaches:
Mission Veterans Memorial junior G.J. Reyna: Finished second at the district meet last season with a time of 15:36.16. Placed fifth at regionals with a time of 15.25.
Mission Veterans Memorial junior Martin Garcia: Has been running since he was a freshman and is a key ingredient in turning around the Patriots’ program. Big things are expected from him this season.
PSJA Southwest junior Victor Pedraza: Placed fourth at the district meet last season with a time of 15:42. Finished eighth at regionals with a time of 15:24.
Edinburg Economedes senior Emily Suarez: Always a threat to dominate a meet, Suarez had a down year last season by her standards, but still finished fourth at the district meet and earned a trip to regionals.
Sharyland Pioneer senior Lizette Chapa: Chapa is one of the stronger runners in Class 6A and should be ready to produce an impressive swan song for her senior campaign.
Edcouch-Elsa sophomore Leslie Alvarado: Alvarado is following in teammate Krysta Martinez’s tracks after qualifying for state last year as a freshman. Alvarado finished second at the district meet with a time of 19:11.07 and sixth at regionals with a time of 18:14.9.