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PASCO -- Today's state cross country championships will no doubt answer many intriguing questions.
Will the Gig Harbor girls win their fourth straight 4A title?
Will one of the small-school kids post an eye-popping time to make his or her big-school counterparts take notice?
Will the North Central boys finish with all seven runners in the top 10, or just its scoring five?
But one inscrutable fact is not up for debate: Of all the runners competing at Sun Willows Golf Course, none will have worked harder than Sandra Martinez. And it has nothing to do with cross country.
While nearly all runners spend their summers racking up mileage, the A.C. Davis senior is busy racking up overtime at El Grullenes, a restaurant in Yakima where she works to help her mother, Rita, take care of a family that includes her three sisters and brother.
She works year round, so her schedule in the fall reads something like this: school, practice, straight to work until 10 p.m., then home for school work. Days off are spent helping at home.
That's quite a load for someone so young, but she handles it with aplomb, said her coach, Jose Garcia.
"She's very mature about it. It doesn't get her down," Garcia said. "She has the best attitude you can have in her situation. She's doesn't get too upset, she doesn't get too high, doesn't get too low. Running is her relief."
Martinez doesn't get too many breaks -- indeed, even while she was on the phone for this story, she was hustling around the restaurant.
Her idea of a vacation is a few hours in front of the TV.
With all that on her shoulders, training for cross country isn't work for Martinez, it's a break.
"I can say I'm a hard worker," she said. "Since I'm a hard worker, (the pain of training) doesn't really matter to me. Running is something I enjoy doing.
"I'd rather run than work."
Growing up, Martinez was the kid in gym class who was all smiles when everyone else groaned about running the Monday mile.
Her close friend and teammate Shawna Schooley convinced her to come out for the team in middle school, and it was instant gratification.
"I love running," she said. "I don't like the competition. I get really scared."
Not that she shows it. Martinez has finished first or second in all but two meets this year, and her worst finish -- sixth at Sunfair -- came when her calves were acting up. That lingering problem, combined with her lack of training over the summer, combined to limit her for much of the season.
Her first-place performance at regionals, however, is a sign she's close to full strength. She ran stride for stride with Mead's Baylee Mires, among the top contenders for a state title.
Both Martinez and Schooley, who won the Richland Invite, should be among the leaders today. Though winning a title -- it would be the first ever for Davis -- has never been the goal.
"I don't think she's ever said she's going to win a state title," Garcia said. "Her goal is to put herself in a situation where 'If I'm on that day, I have a chance.' It pops into her mind, but it's not a driving force.
"Those two can put themselves in contention."
Other coaches don't think it's far-fetched.
"Everything I've seen about Sandra is absolutely outstanding when it comes to cross country," said Pasco coach John Kerr. "Our athletes are not able to compete with her -- she's in another league. She's quite the sportsman. A great girl, a great person; I'm very impressed with her."
As for Martinez, she's not too worried about it.
"Some of my friends and teachers ask, 'How's state? Do you think you can take it?' " she said. "I don't know. I just have to go out, run and see what happens.
"I'll just run my heart out. Go out, run and have fun."
* Kevin Anthony: 509-582-1403; kanthony@tricityherald.com
