Student-Athlete of the Week: Gabe Martinez

Multi-talented is perhaps the best way to describe Gabe Martinez.

In addition to becoming an Eagle Scout in February, the Longmont Christian School senior has taken on both baseball and tennis during his prep career. Because LCS doesn't support a boys tennis team, Martinez joined the Niwot High program during his freshman year.

Cougar head coach Aimee Hites has utilized Martinez, a doubles player, in a swing role this season, which has him practicing with varsity but playing most of his matches at the junior varsity level. It's worth noting, however, that Martinez has yet to lose in his four career varsity matches.

"He's been awesome for four years having him in that position," Hites said.

When called upon, Martinez has been a reliable doubles weapon for Hites. Martinez got the varsity nod on Sept. 7 against the visiting Severance Silver Knights, and he and his partner, junior Manan Gangwar, won the No. 3 doubles match handily, 6-0, 6-0.

"I've been practicing with Manan for a while now and I feel really good playing with him," Martinez said. "He's a really good partner with me and we really just clicked on this match. He's a really, really smart player, a lot of props to him. So us two together, we were really good at communicating and showing each other signs and talking to each other about weak points. We were able to exploit those weak points all game and we ended up coming out with the W."

Martinez and freshman Jack Peterson also picked up a No. 2 doubles win over Northridge (6-1, 6-0) on Aug. 23.

During the spring of his junior year, Martinez swapped his racket for a bat and took his talents to the Longmont Christian School's baseball team. He was even occasionally coached by his older brother, Caleb Martinez, who was an all-conference pitcher at Niwot.

"That was such a fun season," Martinez said. "Of course we didn't do very good, but it was alright because I got to spend a lot of time with a lot of really great guys."

Upon graduating, his current plan is to study watershed management at Colorado State University. His hope is to do some good in an increasingly important field.

"I have this chance to really make an impact on the world," Martinez said. "Of course, the job's never going to go away; it's only going to become more demanding to be able to manage water rights and talk to people, farmers and do research on water in different areas. I really have a passion for working in the outdoors and helping other people."