Record day for Archbishop Wood’s Martin at PIAA-3A Championships
SHIPPENSBURG >> Closing in on a gold medal in the 3,200-meter run, Archbishop Wood’s Gary Martin raced into the record book.
“Going into it, I didn’t know what the record was. I just wanted to go for the win,” the junior said. “So I eased off a little bit at the end but I was able to get it. So I was happy.”
Martin lived a dream on Saturday at the PIAA-3A Championships at Shippensburg University.
In his first trip to states outdoors, Martin won a pair of gold medals in the 3,200 and 1,600, including a state record in the 32, then had enough left to place fifth in the 800.
“It’s pretty awesome. It’s the kind of stuff you train for and the meets you look forward to, so it’s awesome,” said a smiling Martin after his third trip to the podium.
First, the record.
Martin, seeded at 9:10.03, shaved 16 seconds off that mark with a winning time of 8:54.87. Weber Long of Greencastle was closest to him with a 8:58.15.
Martin surpassed Carlisle’s Zach Brehm – his time of 8:55.0 had stood as the state’s best since 2015.
“I took it a little easy on the first mile and then tried to open it up in the second and I was able to,” Martin said. “So it felt good and I was able to save something for the mile.”
He had Dowingtown West’s Declan Rymer closing in, but Martin was able to push to the finish line, crossing in 4:08.67.
“That one, I had to use a little bit more,” the junior said. “I got a run for my money at the end so a lot of energy went into that kick. It ended up being a really great race and I was able to hold on.”
Onto the 800.
Capping an amazing performance, Martin hammered out a time of 1:55.45, good for fifth.
“I wanted to see what I could do, see if I could win it or place a little higher, but I can’t complain,” he said. “Two golds and a fifth place on the day – first state meet outdoors…It was a good experience and I can’t complain at all.”
Martin was a one-man pack for the Vikings: his production added up to 24 points, placing Wood third in the 3A Team Standings.
