BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
Edcouch-Elsa senior distance runner Krysta Martinez signed her National Letter of Intent to compete for UTRGV on Wednesday at Edcouch-Elsa High School.
“I was very excited,” Martinez said. “This is something I’ve always wanted. I’ve always thought about running in college. I know it will be tougher competition, but I’m ready to work hard.”
Martinez has ranked among the Valley’s elite distance runners since her freshman year. She has competed at the state cross country meet three times, placing as high as 12th in 2013 with a time of 19 minutes, 4.7 seconds. Martinez has also competed in the state track and field meet, placing fifth in the girls 1600-meter run in 2014 with a time of 5:01.54.
The senior says she was recruited by other schools in Texas before choosing to sign with the Vaqueros.
“It’s nice because I get to stay close to home,” Martinez said. “And when I visited the campus and met some of the other runners, it felt like family. Everyone got along.”
Martinez will participate in cross country and track and field for UTRGV. She says she has yet to decide what she wants to study.
“She just has natural ability, and she works hard,” Edcouch-Elsa distance coach Juan Perez said. “She’s got a great support group, coaching staff and family behind her. It takes a group to help get someone to the Division I level.”
Martinez placed 17th at the state cross country meet in Round Rock in 20:01.70, and she will continue to run distance events in track and field to conclude her high school career.
“Now was just the right time for her to make the decision,” Perez said. “It was something she discussed with her parents, and she ultimately thought now was a good time to sign with UTRGV and have that pressure off of her. Running while trying to get attention from colleges can be stressful for a lot of kids. She doesn’t have to deal with that anymore.”