Emma Martinez is the 2023 recipient of the Tom Illick Memorial Scholarship.
LVRR: What college will you attend and what is your intended major of study? Do you plan to run while attending college?
EM: I will be attending Pepperdine University to major in Broadcast Journalism. I will be running track and cross-country.
LVRR: What age did you start running and why?
EM: I began running as soon as I could because I come from a family of runners from my grandpa to my siblings.
LVRR: What is your greatest accomplishment in your running career?
EM: My greatest accomplishment is coming back from an injury in my sophomore year and completing a successful junior year.
LVRR: Describe an experience where you had to “sink or swim.” What did you learn from it?
EM: I broke my foot and missed a full year of track, but I did everything I could to stay in shape in the meantime. I learned to never give up and I learned how much I truly loved to run.
LVRR: Who has been your most influential role model and why?
EM: My twin older siblings, Jacob and Madison, have shown me what it means to be a successful student, athlete, and most importantly, a kind person.
LVRR: What would most people be surprised to learn about you?
EM: I can find four-leaf clovers anywhere I go!
LVRR: What is one word you would say to someone who has just started running– whether it be a youth in the LVRR Kids Series, or an older individual- about why running is worth it?
EM: Reliable. Running is reliable No matter where you are or what is going on in life, you can always step outside for a run.
LVRR: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
EM: Continuing to run working in the field of journalism.
LVRR: Is anyone else in your family a runner?
EM: Yes, my father, mother, brother and sister. My brother and sister both ran at the collegiate level.
LVRR: What is your favorite event to watch that you don’t do yourself and why?
EM: The hurdles because my sister competes in that event and it’s very impressive.
LVRR: What events did you run in high school?
EM: I ran the 800m, 1600m, 3200m and 4x800m.
LVRR: What are the top three “little things” that you do to prevent injury?
EM: Stretch daily, do core exercise, and hydrate.
LVRR: What are three activities you enjoy doing apart from running?
EM: Hiking with my family, traveling, and playing ping-pong.
LVRR: What are three words that describe how you feel when you are out running?
EM: Relaxed, joyous and free
