Susie Martin ’17 holds the third best time for a Staples girls’ varsity track runner, and it’s her humble and diligent work ethic that takes her to the finish line.

The dividends of her hard work have definitely paid off. “Two of my proudest accomplishments were making the All-FCIAC team in cross country and qualifying for State Opens with the 4×800 team in track last spring,” Martin said.

Martin trains five to six days a week, varying from high-intensity long runs to more restful recovery days.
“Susie scores at every meet and has proven to be a very valuable component of this year’s successful cross country team,” Cari Moore, the girls’ track coach, said. Martin’s best times include 2:25 for 800-meters, 15:14 for the 4K, and 20:10 for the 5K.

Not only has Martin achieved impressive times in long distance, but she also has developed strong comraderies with her teammates. “Susie is such a talented runner and hard worker, but nobody would ever know because she’s so humble. She has a very unique sense of humor and she never fails to entertain me,” fellow teammate, Hannah Debalsi ’16, said.

Another one of Martin’s teammates, captain Erica Hefnawy ’15, said, “Susie is incredibly quirky and adds such a fun dynamic to the team.”
Some of Martin’s goals by the end of high school include reaching 2:20 in the 800-meter race and qualifying for the States Open in track this year.

“It’s one of those sports that sticks with you and never gets old,” Martin said.