Vanessa Martinez

Vanessa Martinez grew up surrounded by sports. Because her dad is the football coach and her brother is her track and basketball coach, Martinez says that her family’s involvement in her sports career has been very beneficial.

“I feel like my brother and dad being involved in my sports has affected me in a positive way. They are tough on me, but motivational. My dad was the football coach here and even if he didn’t coach  my sport, he would push me to do the best I could,” Martinez said.

Although Vanessa tried many different sports, nothing clicked with her like soccer.

“I started playing soccer when I was five. When I was young I tried a lot of sports, but nothing I liked,” Martinez said. “Then I found soccer and I stuck with it.”

Along with her soccer successes, Vanessa has athletic talent in both basketball and track and field.

“For soccer I was on varsity all 4 years. I was a goalie and the captain. For basketball, I was on varsity for both [of the] years I played. I was captain this year,” Martinez said. “For track, I’ve gone to CIF three years for shot put and discus, and then I won League last year for shot put and discus.”

Martinez will continue her soccer and track and field career at Whittier College in the fall.