AJ MARTINEZ: TWO SPORT ATHLETE

By MATT BENSON

Many Wizards try out to be on a sports team at one point in the year, but only a handful decide to play on two varsity teams.  Senior, AJ Martinez, participated on the boy’s soccer team in the fall and on the boy’s tennis team in the spring at Washingtonville High School. 

Martinez started playing soccer at a young age, but then took a temporary sabbatical until sophomore year.  In his second year of high school, Matt realized how much he loved and missed the game and decided to rejoin the team in his junior year.  

MATT BENSON FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY

The majority of Martinez’s playtime was spent as a striker and in midfield.  The senior continued this trend on varsity in his final year of high school soccer.  When asked what his favorite moment of his soccer career has been thus far, Martinez responded, “It has to be senior night because this was our last time being together as seniors on the field, and I’m glad I was able to have that moment with my family.  I was happy I could show them that all my hard work paid off.”

Martinez’s tennis career was a bit more spontaneous.  He joined the varsity tennis team this year, and it was his first time playing organized tennis.  He played doubles this spring and helped the team end their year with a winning season.  It was the varsity tennis team’s first winning season in over five years.  Martinez’s teammate and tennis captain, Gavan O’Brien, expressed that, “AJ is an upstanding kid.  From his countless hours of on court practicing to the numerous hours of off court training, AJ has proven to be nothing but a help to the team.  His leadership, grit, and work ethic were some things that held the team together and made all of us better players.”

Martinez will be attending SUNY Brockport in the upcoming fall. He doesn’t plan on continuing tennis in college, but he does say that he may potentially tryout for the soccer team.  We wish him the best of luck in all of his future endeavors.