Senior Spotlight: Giselle Martinez

Giselle Martinez has made quite an impact in her short time competing in Palmer Trinity Varsity Athletics. After being encouraged by family and friends to join the Track & Field team in 11^th grade, Martinez went on to tie a 32-year-old record in the long jump, measuring 4.98m, and was a member of the school record 4x200m relay team. After joining the Volleyball team as a sophomore, Martinez is now the only senior on the team as she leads a group of underclassmen through a strong season. On top of that, as a senior, Martinez decided to join the Cross Country team as well, at the same time as volleyball, to help build endurance to prepare for the upcoming Track & Field season.

Despite starting these sports late, Martinez has grown to love each sport, and the family of teammates that comes with it. The desire to compete in two sports at once further re-emphasizes Martinez’s passion and dedication as she believes it is setting her up for the best chance at continued success come spring. “If there is anyone that shows dedication to being the best version of themselves, it’s Gigi,” Varsity Volleyball Head Coach Levy Luong notes, “she has found a way to balance both sports while maintaining a very high GPA,”.

However, Martinez knows that it is important stay on track in order to succeed. “It can be difficult to handle two sports at the same time along with homework and college applications,” Martinez explains, “but being able to manage my time is crucial in balancing everything”. Martinez is currently finishing up her applications to study sports psychology and lists Florida State University, Ohio State University, and the University of Florida among her favorites.

As a senior, Martinez looks back on her time as a Falcon and believes that the bus rides and time spent with her teammates are the most memorable. Her advice to younger PTS student-athletes would be to stay focused on training, but also your academics. “It can be really easy to get sidetracked, but staying focused will prove to be worth it”.

Prior to competing for the Cross Country, Volleyball, and Track & Field teams, Martinez was a gymnast for 13 years and volunteered over summers as a coach for younger gymnasts. Outside of school, she loves to hang out with friends and eat – her favorite meal being a hamburger. Martinez also claims The Hunger Games as her favorite movie and J. Cole as her favorite artist.

Be sure to come out and support Giselle and the rest of the Volleyball and Cross Country teams in their upcoming events! Varsity Volleyball will host Dig Pink on Tuesday, 10/11 at 6:30pm and Senior Night on Thursday, 10/13 at 5:00pm. Varsity Cross Country will host a meet on Saturday, 10/8 at 7:30am and will be honored for Senior Day at the Football game on 10/21 at 4:00pm.

 

Go Falcons!