JEFF FIELDER Editor
MITCHELL – Ashtyn Martin, a junior on Mitchell High School’s boys cross country team, is this week’s Nspire Today! Male Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. He’s coming off a first-place finish in the Gordon-Rushville Invite, and he’s won two other meets this season. Last season, he placed 11th in the district meet and 20th at state. Martin is also involved in National Honor Society. His parents are Zach and Tori Martin.
Q: How do you like how you’ve performed so far this season?
MARTIN: “I feel pretty good about it. I’m averaging about 30 seconds faster per race, so I’m really happy about that.”
Q: Which meet has pleased you the most so far this season?
MARTIN: “Probably [the Gordon-Rushville Invite] because there was a fast sophomore from Mullen there. He beat me in two previous races, but I was able to beat him [in Gordon], so that felt good.”
Q: What’s been the key for you to drop your time so much this season?
MARTIN: “I think just having a better strategy in races. I have a better plan for the races, and also, my teammate [junior Caden Knutson] really pushes me. We stay together throughout the races, and we also push each other hard in practices. It’s awesome because it makes both of us faster.”
Q: Is there a friendly competition between the two of you?
MARTIN: “We don’t really talk about who might finish ahead of the other one. We both want each other to do the best we can. We celebrate each other’s times. We’re just focused on doing as well as we can for the team, and that’s why we push each other hard.”
Q: What are your goals this season?
MARTIN: “I want to break 17 minutes at districts, and I want to place [in the top 15] at state.”
Q: What is your fastest time this year?
MARTIN: “17:33 [at the Gordon-Rushville Invite].”
Q: What is your career-best time?
MARTIN: “17:06 at Morrill last year.”
Q: How many years have you been competing in cross country?
MARTIN: “I started in junior high, so this is my fifth year.”
Q: Were you pleased with how your season went last year?
MARTIN: “Yes, I was pretty pleased. At state, I wish I would have placed [in the top 15], but I was still pleased.”
Q: Talk about how things have been going for your team this year.
MARTIN: “Things have been going good. Last year we lost two seniors who were pretty fast and helped us qualify for state. But we’ve had some people step up this year, and that’s helped us tremendously.”
Q: What are the team’s goals this season?
MARTIN: “We really want to make it to state.”
Q: Talk about the unity on this year’s Mitchell team.
MARTIN: “We’re all great friends. We joke with each other. We have a great time running with each other.”
Q: Are you involved in any other sports?
MARTIN: “Yes, I’m involved in basketball and golf.”
Q: Which sport is your favorite and why?
MARTIN: “Cross country because I can push myself hard every day in practice, and I like to see if I can get faster times. I like to see the personal growth.”
Q: Are you involved in any other activities at school?
MARTIN: “Yes, I’m involved in FBLA, Tigers Committed, and National Honor Society.”
Q: What is your favorite class this year?
MARTIN: “That’s a hard one, but I would probably say college Algebra. It pushes me.”
Q: To you, how important is it to get excellent grades, and how special is it to be part of National Honor Society?
MARTIN: “I work as hard as I can to get good grades because I want to better myself. As far as being in National Honor Society, I take a lot of pride in that.”
Q: Outside of your school activities, what do you like to do for fun?
MARTIN: “I like outdoor activities, like hunting and fishing and hiking.”
Q: What’s your favorite lake to go to?
MARTIN: “I like to go to Lake Minatare because it’s close, but I really like Lake McConaughy.”
Q: Which coach has made the biggest impact on your athletic career so far?
MARTIN: “Probably Mr. [Nick] Kuxhausen. He’s the football coach, and he’s my golf coach, too. He loves to see individuals get better. He always asks me how things are going in cross country and what my times are. He just loves to see kids be successful in activities.”
Q: Which teacher has made the biggest influence on your life?
MARTIN: “I would say our new science teacher, Mr. [Taylor] Montgomery. He has a really positive outlook on learning, and he makes learning the material in his class fun.”
Q: Have you thought about what you would like to do after you graduate from high school?
MARTIN: “I’ve thought about it a little bit, but I’m not sure yet what I’m going to do.”
Q: What’s your favorite type of music?
MARTIN: “Probably classic rock.”
Q: What’s your favorite TV show?
MARTIN: “I like car shows, so it would probably have to be Fast N’ Loud.”
Q: What’s your favorite restaurant in this region?
MARTIN: “Probably Runza. I love it.”
Q: What do you like to order there?
MARTIN: “A cheeseburger Runza. I usually get a couple of those and a milkshake.”
Q: Do you work?
MARTIN: “Yes. During the summers, I work for my dad. He paints, like commercial painting.”
Q: What would you like to do for a career?
MARTIN: “I’m leaning toward doing something in the medical field.”
Q: Name one person who you feel is a big difference-maker in your community.
MARTIN: “I would say Mrs. [Michelle] Peters. She tries to bring out the best in everybody. She tries to point everybody in a positive direction so they can have a better future.”
Q: In your opinion, who is the kindest student at Mitchell High School this year?
MARTIN: “Jonathan Pieper. He’s always happy; I’ve never really seen him mad. Also, he’s super outgoing, and he always tries to help people no matter what situation they’re in.”
Q: Which business in Mitchell do you go to most often?
MARTIN: “Probably Dollar General. I’ll go there to get snacks.”
Q: Have you lived in Mitchell your whole life?
MARTIN: “Yes. I was born in Lincoln, but we moved to Mitchell before I was a year old.”
Q: Have you enjoyed growing up in Mitchell?
MARTIN: “I love being in Mitchell. Everybody is always super nice, and the school is awesome.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
MARTIN: “Yes, I have two younger brothers [Brecken, 6; Camden, 3] and three younger sisters [Grace, 14; Tegan, 12; Finley, 9].”
Q: How do you like being part of a big family?
MARTIN: “It’s pretty crazy. There’s always something going on. There’s never a dull moment.”
Q: How do you like being the oldest among the siblings?
MARTIN: “It’s pretty fun to have younger siblings. They look up to me, so I try to set a good example for them. It’s fun to see them grow up.”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Athletes of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, athletes of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865. If you would like to increase your subscription to $20, Nspire Today! will donate the extra $5 in September to the Irrigation Disaster Relief Fund.
For all your insurance needs, visit The Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance, located at 1012 Ave. I in Scottsbluff, or call 308-632-8598.
