Panther pride

Wallkill pole vaulter recruited by Alabama and Cornell

By Connor Linskey
Posted 3/4/20

To say that Wallkill Senior High School junior pole vaulter Louis Martinez has had a successful career would be an understatement.

He finished second at the New York State Public High School …

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Panther pride

Wallkill pole vaulter recruited by Alabama and Cornell

Posted

To say that Wallkill Senior High School junior pole vaulter Louis Martinez has had a successful career would be an understatement.

He finished second at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) meet last spring, won the indoor Section IX pole vaulting championship on Feb. 15 and competed at the Millrose Games on Feb. 8. The Millrose Games is the world’s longest-running indoor track and field competition and features accomplished athletes from around the globe.

“The competition at Millrose was amazing,” Martinez said. “I’ve never been around so many serious pole vaulters.”

His success has not gone unnoticed. Prior to the start of the indoor track and field season, Martinez was recognized as the top-ranked male pole vaulter in the Class of 2021 by MileSplit. MileSplit is a website that covers the latest news about United States High School running, cross country and track and field.

Martinez has improved substantially in the past year. Leo Sladewski, the head coach of the Wallkill boys indoor track and field team, noted that Martinez’s personal record has improved by nearly two feet since the last indoor track and field season. He achieved a personal record this season of 15 feet and eight inches, besting his record from last winter, which was 13 feet and nine inches.

Sladewski believes Martinez will continue to improve. Martinez is still maturing as an athlete and his coach thinks that he will grow taller. Sladewski is impressed by Martinez’s relentless work ethic, which has led to success.

“He’s very focused,” Sladewski said. “He loves the event and spends a lot of time and energy trying to get better at that event.”

When he’s not competing, Martinez is training vigorously at Hudson Valley Flying Circus, a facility in Warwick that boasts an indoor and outdoor pole vaulting practice area.

His love for the sport began nearly five years ago. He joined the modified track team at John G. Borden Middle School when a pole vaulter was needed. Martinez noted that he has played football, lacrosse, wrestling, bowling and skateboarding, but none give him as much enjoyment as pole vaulting.

“I like the feeling of weightlessness,” he said regarding his passion for pole vaulting. “It’s a rush that I haven’t experienced in any other sport.”

Right now Martinez is gearing up for the NYSPHSAA Indoor Track & Field Championships on Sunday, March 7 at Ocean Breeze Track & Field Athletic Complex in Staten Island. Tickets can be purchased for $8 on nysphsaa.org or for $10 on site. Opening ceremonies kick off at 8:45 a.m.

After the state championship, Martinez will take on the top pole vaulters in the nation at the New Balance Nationals Indoor, which will take place from Friday-Sunday, March 13-15 at the New Balance Track and Field Center at The Armory in New York City. Events begin at 9 a.m. on Friday, 8:00 a.m. on Saturday and 8:15 a.m. on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased on eventbrite.com.

Even with more than a full year of high school left, Martinez is already being recruited. The University of Alabama and Cornell University have reached out to him about competing at the next level. Martinez has even bigger dreams and hopes to take his talents beyond college.

“I want to go pro and I want to medal at the Olympics,” he said. “That’s my dream.”