Confidence In Every Jump

Nick Martinez doesn’t mind it if people think he’s a little cocky.

The track star, who just finished up his junior season, made history earlier this month when he became the first track and field competitor from the school to receive a state medal since the late 1990s.

So when asked—somewhat in jest—if he was the fastest high school kid in Elk Grove, his answer came with a quickness matched only by his speed on the track.

“Yes, I am.”

He wasn’t joking. His confidence is warranted, though, and not just because he placed third overall in the 300-meter hurdles at the state championship in Clovis on June 4. Martinez says it’s that bit of swagger that helps propel him in competition.

“It calms the nerves when you get into the blocks,” said the 17-year-old. “You still have some nerves. But getting into the block, and feeling that you’re the fastest one out there, it gets me ready to show the boys how it’s done.”

Elk Grove track and field coach Tom Rossow agrees that Martinez's confidence gives him a boost.

"It helps a ton," Rossow said. "It's not an arrogance. He's just very confident. He knows what he needs to do to get where he needs to be. He set a goal this year and worked really hard to get where he is."

Martinez also finished sixth in 110-meter hurdles event. In both events, he won the league championship, section championship and Northern California championship prior to the state meet.

Taking a break before he picks up training again in early July, Martinez talked to Elk Grove Patch about his success this past season, the difficulty of his event and why a move to California from Arizona wasn’t all that he expected.

So with your speed, do you wander around Elk Grove challenging people in races?

Yeah, I mean it’s fun to go around knowing at the league meets no one can touch me.

What helps you bring out that confidence?

I am a very social person. If anything, that makes me stick out from most of the people at track meets. Most people are focused and quiet; I’m the guy joking around before. Even before that gun sounds, I like to joke around. I think it’s a way of calming my nerves.

Who is faster: a track star or a football running back?

A track star. Hands down.

Are there local guys who you’d like to challenge in a race?

Local? No. But I’d like to see some guys who I ran against this year from southern California or middle California who challenged me. That’d be fun.

Have you always been the fast kid?

Yes. I remember in first grade, I was always challenging another fast kid during PE. I always challenged him and beat him and it’d be fun. As a freshman, I competed at state in Arizona.

How long did you live in Arizona?

I only moved out here about a year-and-a-half ago.

How do you like California?

It’s not all it’s hyped up to be.

What’d you expect?

I don’t know. Beaches and sun. Living in Elk Grove, it’s not the same.

When did you first jump a hurdle?

It was probably during my seventh grade year. It looked like something that was fun. I did it and it was entertaining. It’s more than just running in a straight line or a circle. It gives you more of a challenge.

Do people underestimate how hard it is to jump a hurdle?

Extremely. Everyone underestimates how much hard work you have to put in to get technique down and physically how hard it is on your body going over a hurdle.

Do you have some bumps and bruises?

Definitely. My coaches were doing speed work and hooked me up to a harness that pulls you. They pulled me out of blocks the first time and then tried to pull while I was over the hurdles. I went over the first hurdle and put my foot down, but then didn’t pick my foot up fast enough. A spike stuck and I face planted and rolled into the next hurdle and broke it in half.

How long does it take to truly master the hurdles?

I wouldn’t say I am a master at it yet. I’ve been doing it four years and I am getting there. Running in between and technique becomes second nature. 

Have you been running since the championships? Or are you taking a break?

We are taking a good month off and then we start training again on July 5.

What are your future goals for track and field? College?

I hope to one day get to the Olympics. For the short term though, I hope to earn a full-ride scholarship to a good school.