The final stretch: track and field star Ryan Martin’s push for greatness

By Olivia Lee, Staff Writer

Published Feb 28, 2024

Ryan Martin competing in the 1000 meter race. (Photo courtesy of gofrogs.com)

Ryan Martin aims to leave a lasting legacy in distance running during his fourth and final season with the Horned Frogs’ Track and Field team.

“I want a national championship this year,” Martin said. “That’s the one thing I’ve got left on my list.”

Martin has already ticked one thing off his list: he set the school record in the 1,000 meters not once, but twice. His most recent time clocks in at 2:23:69 from his race at the Corky Classic in Lubbock. Martin’s coach, Khadevis Robinson, held the record to beat.

“It’s pretty cool to be up there with KD,” Martin said about the track and field director. “He’s a school record holder, and I kind of model myself after him.”

Robinson became director in July 2022 and serves as the primary coach for middle distance events. He was a six-time silver medalist in the 800 meters at the USA Outdoor Championships. Martin said he is motivated by his coach’s accomplishments, often modeling his racing style after the him.

Ryan Martin wins Men’s 1000 meter race at the Corky Classic. (Photo courtesy of gofrogs.com)

“It would mean just as much to coach to have one of his own break the school record,” Martin said. “Wanting us to beat the ghost of him is how I would describe it.”

Leaving a legacy

After coming up short last season, Martin brought a sense of redemption this year.

“I missed the regional meet by a hundredth of a second, Martin said. “I was pretty devastated.”

Martin took it upon himself to train all summer to improve for this season. He exceeded expectations by resetting his own record and by running both the 1-kilometer and 800-meter races on the same day.

Martin said he hopes to leave a lasting legacy at TCU through leadership and community. He played a role in uniting the track and field team to be more devoted than ever.

“When I was a junior, we did not have a lot of seniors, and I really took that time to grow as a leader,” he said.

A large group of freshmen joined the team this year. Martin stepped further into his leadership role and is aiming to be the mentor he needed as a freshman.

“When I have more fun, I’m a better runner, and that’s the message I want to bring to the rest of the team,” he said.

Martin will graduate with a double major in mathematics and economics and retire his spikes. But, he hopes, not before a run at a national championship.