Cross-Country Celebrates GPAC Athelete of the Week

Photo Courtesy Amie Martin

By Kenneth Paetow

Cross-country runner freshman Amie Martin was named Great Plains Athletic Conference Runner of the Week for Sept. 2-8 and Bulldog Athletic Association Female Athlete of the Week for Sept. 10-16. 

Martin is from St. Louis, Missouri and is majoring in elementary special education. She is looking forward to this season, but is particularly looking forward to making it to Nationals. 

“Amie Martin in high school told herself that her goal is 18:30 and I’m going for that but my goal is to ultimately make it to Nationals this season,” Martin said. “I am waiting for a flat fast course and a not so hot day.”

Martin started off strong in her first college race at the Augustana Twilight meet, running a 5k personal record of 18:56. 

“The best thing about running a race is looking down at your watch and seeing a great time, knowing that you are crushing it,” Martin said. “It’s such a great feeling to know you are … going to accomplish a new great personal record.”

She finished as the top runner for Concordia and placed 34th at the meet, which included Division I schools. After that race, the conference named Martin the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Runner of the Week.

“She is the first Concordia University cross-country competitor to collect the award since Ben Sievert in 2014,” Head Cross-Country and Track and Field Coach Matt Beisel said.

Martin believes she has a great team to train and race with, and is thankful for senior Rebekah Hinrichs. Hinrichs has helped Martin adapt to the collegiate level of competition and provided leadership and guidance.