Page senior distance runner Bowen Martin is looking forward to Friday and Saturday's Division III Track & Field Championship.

"The key to my success this year is listening to my coaches and being able to stay injury-free by stretching and strengthening in my weak spots," Martin said.

During the season, Martin has posted outstanding PR times.

Martin turned in 9:10.68 in the grueling 3200-meters at the Arcadia Invitational in California, which is one of the biggest meets in the U.S.

At the Nike Chandler Rotary Invitational, billed as the largest state meet in Arizona, Martin crossed the finish line in 4:18.65 in the 1600-meters.

A versatile runner, Martin was clocked in 1:59 in the middle distance 800-meters at the Bradshaw Mountain Invitational in Prescott Valley.

"Before I ran each race, I kind knew that I was going to PR, because I picked a couple races a year to taper for and the rest of the meets, I train through," Martin said. "During the race, I feel much better than I would on a regular meet, because I was able to have a bit of rest during the week, so I have confidence in myself. I would always be overjoyed whenever I was able to PR, because that's where your hard work shows."

Martin said since he established a state leading time, he has been within 10 seconds of each event, but not as close because each of those weeks, he would train through and not rest.

"When the state meet comes around, I'll do my last taper, so that I can hopefully PR in all my events," Martin explained.

Martin said he is focusing in on the state championship, scheduled for Mesa Community College. The 1600-meters is scheduled for Friday. The 3200-meters and 4 x 800-meter relay events are set for Saturday.

This year's Meet of Champions, now directed by the Arizona Interscholastic Association, is scheduled for May 11 at Arizona State University's Joe Sellah Track facility in Tempe. 

During his illustrious running career, Martin has earned eight state championships as an individual and a team member. Martin has won one individual cross-country state title, two individual track state championships (3200-meters, 1600-meters), a 4 x 800-meter state championship team member and a four-time cross-country state championship team member.

"My favorite event is the 3200-meters, because that is the event that I'm best at," Martin said. "I feel like whenever I'm running it, I just fall into the zone and I am super focused."

Martin said for him to win another state championship in individual events, he needs to stick to his training schedule and listen to the advice his coaches have to give him.

"I don't feel any pressure to keep my number one spot in Division III, but I want to be in the number one spot in Arizona for the 3200-meters by the end of the year," Martin stated. "I'm ranked second."

Martin said he hasn't signed a national letter-of-intent, but will sign soon. Martin said he plans to sign a cross-country/track scholarship with Southern Utah University.

"I plan on running all distance events in college and I will be excited to keep improving," Martin said.