Martin was praised by cross country coach Brian Whitlock after the NAIA Mid-States Classic in Winfield, Kan., where Martin placed ninth out of 182 runners with an 8k time of 25 minutes, 45 seconds. The time represents a personal best for Martin, a sophomore from Dallas.

Coach Whitlock said Martin stepped up when top runner Dennis Kiptoo was sidelined leading up to the meet. "Martin really came into his own the last three weeks. He had a good meet at Arkansas, and with Dennis out helped keep us together. His practices have been really good and that showed with a lifetime PR."

Martin helped the Pioneers to a third-place finish, which Coach Whitlock hopes will boost Wayland into the NAIA Top 25 and help secure an at-large bid to the NAIA national meet.

"This was by far our best meet of the season," Coach Whitlock said. "We're finally starting to put things together."