Flying to Austin

ELSA -April Benavides and Roger Martinez come from two opposite ends of the pole vault.

Benavides is a natural. The junior is an all-star cheerleader, a strong gymnast and is one of the most talented athletes longtime track and field coach Jaime Ochoa has ever assisted.

On the other hand, Martinez relies more on work ethic to overcome numerous injuries and scheduling conflicts.

Yet both are similar in that the pair of Edcouch-Elsa athletes will trek to Austin on June 5 to compete in the UIL State Track and Field Championships. On even sweeter note, both became the first ever Yellowjacket pole vaulters to compete at the state level.

 
As part of the Yellowjacket family for many years, Ochoa said this opportunity is a once in a lifetime chance for both Benavides and Martinez.

The last E-E athlete to participate at the state level was five years ago, and the only athlete to come home as state champion was Narciso Martinez who participated in the discus in 1993.

So it's easy to see why Ochoa is looking forward to watching his two pole vaulters participate at the state level.

"It's unreal," Ochoa said. "You dream about these things, but then reality hits you when you go to regionals in San Antonio. It's hard (to make state). It doesn't always happen."

Martinez has dealt with hamstring problems in both of his legs while also competing in baseball with the ‘Jackets, which at times would interrupt with his track schedule.

He pulled his right hamstring during the Meet of Champions event in Brownsville, and then tweaked his left hamstring during a baseball game. With the district meet days away, it came down to the last practice on whether Martinez would even compete or not.

Fighting through frustration, eventually Martinez was able to go. And when he did, his performance surprised not only the competition, but himself as well.

Prior to this year, Martinez went no further than a district meet in his sophomore year. With one last shot and with healthy legs, the senior powered through district and regionals where he captured gold with a jump of 13 feet, 6 inches.

Remarkably, Martinez finds himself going to Austin despite only competing in only three meets the whole season.

"I've always been one of the good athletes, but I never had the chance to show it," Martinez said. "I've always had confidence in my abilities for as long as I've done the pole vault...Finally, I was able to do my job."

Martinez' goal in Austin is to medal in the top three. Whether or not he does that, the fact he's going to be jumping on that Friday afternoon instead of recovering from an injury makes it all worthwhile.

"It was difficult because we knew he was the best pole vaulter, but he couldn't prove it until the district meet to everybody," Ochoa said. "I'm glad he got the last word." 

Standing at 5-foot-2, Benavides could care less about competing with girls that stand as tall as 5-9. 

"April is like a cat in the sky," Ochoa said. "She's got that mojo."

Benavides is used to being at the top. Ochoa said opposing teams are always striving to beat the junior because she commands respect in her event.

But pressure is something Benavides is accustomed to.

"I'm able to control it," Benavides said.

Benavides said she's ready for the state stage since she's actually won at the state level while competing at AAU track.

 
"I want to medal as a junior," Benavides said. "It would mean a lot to me, shocking, exciting, great."

Benavides jumped a personal best 11-0 to secure a silver medal in the regional meet.

Ochoa said in order for both to have a shot at medaling, each will have to jump personal bests. Ochoa has Martinez targeted at 14-6 while Benavides at 11-6.

"Both are very approachable goals," Ochoa said.