Abraham Avila-Martinez signs National Letter of Intent to University of Texas at Austin

PRESS RELEASE TAPPS Distance Runner Abraham Avila-Martinez to sign National Letter of Intent 

 

(AUSTIN, TX) Friday, November 15, 2019—San Juan Diego Catholic High School senior and back-to-back TAPPS State Cross Country Champion, Abraham Avila-Martinez will sign his National Letter of Intent on Friday, November 15th at 3:30 pm on the San Juan Diego campus. Avila-Martinez has been highly-recruited among Central Texas’ elite runners and has narrowed down his top universities of choice to St. Edward’s University, The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Tulsa and The University of Arkansas. 

Avila-Martinez recently defended his TAPPS 2A State Cross Country title by setting a course record of 15:37.5 at the state meet on October 21st in Waco. His time was the fastest among all competitors across all classes 1A-6A, including other nationally-ranked TAPPS standouts such as Ben Shearer, Paul Sherrill and Jackson Long. Craig Owens, San Juan Diego Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach says, “He is the most determined and hardest working track athlete that I have ever had the pleasure of coaching.” 

Avila-Martinez first crashed onto the cross country and track scene with outstanding performances in both sports his junior year. After winning the 2018 TAPPS 2A State Cross Country crown with a time of 16:37.8, his work ethic and desire to win carried over into the Spring 2019 Track & Field season. Avila-Martinez captured 6th place in the 3200 meters at the Texas Relays, posting a personal best of 9:17.8, while competing against the best UIL and private school talent in the state. In May, he “doubled” and was crowned the TAPPS 2A State Champion in the 1600m (PR of 4:25.83) and 3200m. Weeks later he broke the TTFCA meet record in the 3200 meters with a time of 9:31.00. 

This fall season, Avila-Martinez has continued to make impressive gains. He finished 3rd (12:32.70) at Friday Night Lights at The Woodlands, only 8 seconds behind two top UIL 6A talent. He finished 2nd (15:26.27) at the Southlake Carroll Invitational, less than 0.5 second behind El Paso’s Michael Abeyta. The following week he won the Moulton Invitational and set a new PR 15:16.00. This was all in preparation for his outdoor finale at the TAPPS State Meet. With track season quickly approaching, the San Juan Diego community is eagerly anticipating some great distance and middle distance performances.