Oxford Middle schooler Sarah Martinez has taken her love of running up a notch from just competing at the local level – she joined the Amateur Athletic Union’s (AAU) track and field division and recently competed in the Junior Olympic Games.
“It was kind of hard because I didn’t know the people would be so good,” said Martinez, 12. “It was also fun. I got to talk to people from different states and make a lot of new friends.”
Martinez, who lives in Oxford with her father Trini, mother Cindy and two brothers, decided to compete on a larger scale after participating in the local track and field rec program. She was already familiar with AAU and plays in the group’s basketball program almost year round.
“I could see that she was fast,” said dad Trini, who has been coaching her. “She needed to build up and face some tougher competition than the rec program provided.”
After finding a local AAU track and field team, Martinez began training. She would practice about every other day using the Oxford School track, homemade hurdles and a shot put; however she didn’t have a way to practice her high jump.
“She’s never even high jumped before,” said dad Trini, “I wasn’t sure how she would do at state and regionals, but I told her to just watch the other girls and try to do what they are doing.”
Martinez qualified for the pentathlon – hurdles, shot put, long jump, high jump and dash – her first time out in Ypsilanti, where both the state and regional competitions were held. She took second place at the state level, held at Ypsilanti High School, and received the bronze medal at the regionals, held at Eastern Michigan University (EMU).
The AAU Junior Olympics, started in 1967, were also held at EMU. Martinez attended the event with over 13,000 athletes and competed against 60 other youths in her division and age range.
“It’s kind of like actually going to the Olympics with all these events,” said Martinez.
“It reminded you of the Olympics with the ceremonies, the facilities and the parade,” said dad Trini. “It was just a really neat experience.”
Martinez came in 35th out of 60 competitors. She feels she competed well, and was glad she finished in the middle of the pack. “There were a lot of really good athletes there,” she said.
As for the future, Martinez added that she will definitely be competing in AAU again next year and hopes to run for Oxford Schools. Dad Trini said they will be focusing a bit more on hurdles in her training.
As for the real Olympics – Martinez just wasn’t sure yet.
“I don’t know – I’d like to, but I’m just not sure yet,” she said.
“I definitely think that others should try this – you get to meet a lot of people and compete against some of the best.”
AAU Junior Olympic Games began in 1967 with 523 competing athletes. This year saw more than 13,000 youths from across the U.S., U.S. territories and U.S. military bases competing in 25 different sports. AAU is a nonprofit organization with the motto “Sports for All, Forever.” For more information, please visit www.aaujrogames.org.