Despite injuries affecting training and racing schedules in past year since record-setting effort at state meet last season, Martin knows potential is still there for another memorable run in 5A final

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

When Anna Martin delivered the greatest performance in the 40-year history of the Utah High School Activities Association girls state cross country championships last season to win her first 4A title, there appeared to be no limits as to what the Lehi standout could accomplish.

One year later, there still aren’t.

Despite having her training and racing schedule significantly compromised in the past 12 months as a result of multiple injuries, the senior enters her final state meet Wednesday in the 5A championship at Sugarhouse Park with more uncertainty than previous seasons, but plenty of inspiration and motivation to contend for another individual crown.

“I’m always really nervous before races, and it’s scary not knowing the competition as well as I usually do at this point in the season,” Martin said. “But one of the things I’ve learned about running is not to put limits on yourself. I’m going into the race without any limits and ready to go, so we’ll see what happens.”

Following her record-setting run of 17 minutes, 15 seconds last year on the 3-mile layout at Sugarhouse Park to eclipse the 2015 mark of 17:24.7 achieved by Davis High graduate and BYU standout Courtney Wayment, Martin continued to compete for seven more weeks, culminating with a 34th-place finish Dec. 8 at the Foot Locker National Championships in San Diego.

The long season took its toll on Martin, not only during the winter, but throughout the spring track season, where she was only able to race twice prior to the May 18 state championships.

“I started dealing with injury last year around November and December,” Martin said. “I had issues with plantar fasciitis in both of my feet, and I dealt with that throughout all of track season. I also got runner’s knee towards the end of that season, but I still got to compete at state and at a few other races.”

Despite the limited racing schedule, Martin still finished third in the state 4A 3,200-meter final and fourth in the 1,600 championship, giving her belief that she could return to an elite level again in cross country with a productive summer.

But discomfort in Martin’s knees began to slow her progress again as she approached the start of her senior year in August, resulting in doubts as to when the season opener would finally occur and questions surrounding her potential to challenge again for a state championship after being moved back to 5A, where she began her career in 2016.

“My coach and I wanted to be careful about racing only when I was ready,” Martin said. “I think being able to slowly build up to consistent mileage and workouts again gave me the confidence I needed, especially after having done so much cross training in the summer to make up for it.”

Martin returned to competition Sept. 28 at the Park City Invitational, winning in 18:06.2, only 13 seconds behind what she ran to secure victory on the 3-mile course last season.

“I had Park City in my mind as possibly the first race I’d be able to make an appearance at,” Martin said. “I think having that goal and feeling prepared for it definitely built my confidence.”

Although Martin had resumed racing, it wasn’t until her performance Oct. 11 at the Region 7 meet at Mountain View High that she resembled the same athlete who produced a dominant run to the state championship last season.

Martin clocked 16:58, the fastest 3-mile effort by any Utah female runner this season and the best mark of her career.

“Going into region, I had a goal in my mind, but honestly breaking 17 was not part of that goal at all,” Martin said. “Opening a season late is always hard, which was something I learned during my last track season, so running both a race and a time I could be proud of gave me the confidence that I’ll need when I race on Wednesday at state.”

The return to the 5A final not only gives Martin an opportunity to capture a championship in a second classification, but also perhaps the greatest challenge against Utah competition in her cross country career.

Martin will square off against defending 5A champion Carlee Hansen of Woods Cross, along with Farmington’s Elisabeth Ferrell, Alta’s Morgan Jensen, as well as Springville teammates Heidi Sumsion and AnnaBeth Templeman.

“There are a lot of really strong girls in 5A this year, and I’m so excited to race with them,” Martin said. “Getting to meet people like them inspires me and helps me become a better runner. It’s really cool to meet people who love the sport you love and put just as much time and effort into it as you do.”

Hansen has been waiting since the first race of the year for an opportunity to compete against Martin, but like the rest of her peers, had to demonstrate patience until the postseason.

“I always run better when there are people who can push me and Anna is a great competitor, so I look forward to racing her,” Hansen said. “What she accomplished last year was incredible and she has motivated everyone to run faster.”

Exactly how fast remains to be seen, with Martin the only returning athlete from last year’s championship meet to run under 18 minutes at Sugarhouse Park.

But with the memory of her record run still fresh in Martin’s mind, she knows there is unlimited potential for what is possible when she enters the stadium at Highland High for the final time Wednesday, with only 100 meters in between her and possibly more history.

“My state race last year was definitely one of my favorites. I’ve always loved the course and atmosphere at state ever since I raced there for the first time as a freshman,” Martin said. “Being injured again at the beginning of the season was really hard, especially recognizing that I might not be able to return for that race at the end of the season.

“Now that I’ll get that opportunity after all, I’m really excited to race and experience it all one more time. I’m sure I’ll be remembering what it felt like to be there as a freshman in comparison to now as a senior when I’m out on that starting line.”