By Evan Mugford
Staff writer
May 14, 2008 02:18 am Overcoming injuries along the way, Triton alumnus Amanda Martin has emerged as one of top track and field athletes in the Big East. The junior captain of the University of Connecticut track and field team has placed in the top two in the conference in the javelin each of the past two seasons. However, one particularly devastating injury during Martin's senior year at Triton altered the course of her athletic life forever. "I tore my (anterior cruciate ligament) my senior year playing basketball," said Martin. "It was the second game of the year, and as I was attempting a reverse lay-up. I jump-stopped, and it popped in the air." Martin was forced to forego her basketball season, but she remained determined to stay active and eyed joining the track and field team in the spring. After ACL surgery, a six-month rehabilitation process is the custom, but in Martin's case, the resilient all-around athlete was set to compete just 2 1/2 months after going under the knife. "My doctor Glen Crawford (at Anna Jaques Hospital) is great," said Martin. "I check up with him all the time. It aches occasionally when I'm training, doing squats and leg presses, but overall, it feels really good." A talented competitor in high school, Martin earned letters in four sports: three in basketball, two in soccer and softball, and one in track and field. After having success on the hardwood for the Vikings, Martin planned to play basketball in college at the University of New Hampshire. After missing her senior year, she couldn't generate any interest among college basketball suitors. Her hopes of continuing a career in softball ended when her doctor explained to her that the sports motions would cause too much damage to her knee. However, Martin was cleared to throw the javelin and the shot put. Martin's first year of track and field was something of an anomaly, as the newcomer went on to break the javelin school record with a throw of 128-3. She won the EMass. Division 3 title and placed third at the all-state championship. While perusing some college Web sites, Martin discovered that her throwing ability was not only competitive in Division 1 sports, but was actually strong enough to win. "I e-mailed schools like (University of Rhode Island), UConn, and (University of Massachusetts)," said Martin, who emphasizes her leg training with exercises like clean and jerks and squats. "URI wanted me to go there, UMass didn't want to have anything to do with me, and UConn asked me to visit." Once Martin made the trip, things fell into place. "There was a connection almost immediately," explained Martin, who admits beating UMass this year was fulfilling. "The UConn campus was great. I met some of the girls who were still around — including Olympic hopeful Deirdre Mullin and coach Bill Morgan — was awesome. Just talking to him gave me enough reason to come here, compete and study." Morgan sees Martin as being an important figure in their march toward the championships. "As a captain, Amanda brings invaluable leadership and hard work," said Morgan. "Her ethic has brought her to a point where she has the potential to achieve something huge. "She's coming back from a slight back injury," explained Morgan, "but as of right now, she's confident, fit, and looks set to throw her best." Since joining the Huskies, Martin has found nothing but success with a team loaded with talent and aspiration. "My team is amazing," stated Martin, who enjoys going to the Country Music Festival every year. "We won the Big East indoor, the ECAC indoor, and the New Englands indoor. I'm not sure what I'm going to do without them." Martin has established herself not only as a team captain, but as an athlete who has a chance to win every time she competes. On May 4, Martin placed second in the javelin at the Big East Outdoor Championship with a throw of 150-05. Though she was a little disappointed she didn't place first like she did in 2007, Martin, who is qualified for the regionals and the ECACs, is still looking forward to finishing the season strong and continuing her dream. "The goal of any track and field athlete is take make it to the Olympics," said Martin. "I'm 21/2 meters off the Olympic trial, so my goal is not too far off. My practices have been really good lately, so hopefully I'll really step up my throws and reach nationals." Martin's biggest fan is as proud as they come. "She's just my truly amazing daughter," said her mom, Debbie Moynihan. "Coming back from an injury like that, she's really proven herself to be a great athlete. She excels in just about everything she does."
The Martin Files Age: 20 Events: Javelin and shot put Major: Nutritional sciences Enjoys: The beach and being outdoors Favorite film: "Remember the Titans"
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