7 News Belize

Sprinter Kaina Becomes First Track Athlete To Get Full Scholarship
posted (December 16, 2013)
Sprinter Kaina Martinez is one of the preeminent female athletes in all of Belize: she ran the 100 for Belize in the 2012 London Olympics and has previously medalled in the Central American Games. But now, she's entering a new phase of her career. The 26 year old form Seine Byte has gotten a full athletic scholarship to Texas A and M university. We were there when she signed the letter of intent on Saturday:..

Jules Vasquez reporting
On Saturday morning Kaina Martinez became the first home grown Belizean track athlete to sign a letter of intent for a full athletic scholarship at a major US university. Her former coach Colin Thurton work to get it done.

Colin Thurton
"I was fortunate enough to have the chance to coach Kaina for the 2012 Olympic Games. I have known her before that and I knew the talent that she has and I promised her that I'll do my best to try and get her a scholarship to finished up her two years in the States. I finally got Texas A and M in Kingsville to offer a full scholarship to start this January and that where she will be attending this coming year."

"Anybody that gets a fully paid scholarship to any division 1,2 or 3 should be grateful because there is just a few that chosen."

Sonny Meighan
"I believe this will open doors and she will be training longer with really good professional training and so she, I believe will be able to do better."

On Saturday those would be successors gathered at the Marion Jones to see the historic signing.

Kaina Martinez
"One of the greatest reasons why I stay in sports is to raise awareness that there are talent in Belize and it should be invested in. I am honored to be the first person to try the first road."

And that road means she will have to bring down her personal best from 11.7 to the low 11s.

Kaina Martinez
"For me getting 11.7 with just natural talent is great. I believe with the training and the support that I will get is going to drop tremendously."

Sonny Meighan
"Its going to be hard for her, but hopefully she could make a semi-final."

Colin Thurton
"The problem for is going to be adapting to the system. When the coach says practice starts at 3 o' clock, you better be there at 3 o' clock. I know how we are. Today is a good example of what I am talking about, you got to be on time. She has the potential. I think she will do well. If she focuses and does what she is capable of doing, she'll make us proud."

Jules Vasquez
"How fast you think is the fastest you can run 100 with the proper training and optimal conditions?"

Kaina Martinez
"I don't really like predicting, but I can surely say that I can go down into the lower 10s hopefully."

Kaina is currently a member of the Coast Guard which supports her in this opportunity.

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