The Twilight Invite is expected to draw more than 200 schools from throughout the Southwest at Grande Sports Complex in Casa Grande, Arizona. The invite features 16 girls and boys races.

Page is entered in the invite's premiere Sweepstakes division. The individual field of racers includes Gilbert Highland's Leo Daschbach, who was champion at last Saturday's Doug Conley Cross-Country Invitational in Tempe, Arizona; Braedon Palmer, of Sunrise Mountain; Jacob Block, of Chandler Basha; and Kenny Edwards, of Campo Verde, who are Arizona high school's top runners. Also in the field of harriers is Kashon Harrison, of Kirtland Central, New Mexico, who is undefeated.

"I have not yet raced at (Nike Desert) Twilight during my high school career, but I have seen and raced on the course," Martin said. "I'm definitely excited to get in there and have the opportunity to race with some of the best in the Southwet. I think this race will be a pretty good indicator of where I'm at in my training and what I need to improve on to get better."

Martin has won all four of his races this season. He began the season with a first place win at the Pizza Edge Monument Valley Twilight Cross-Country Invitational in Kayenta, clocking a 16:32 over a 5K course. At a high altitude race in Flagstaff, Bowen garnered championship honors at Peaks Cross-Country Invitational with a 16:55 time.

Martin copped first place honors at the Canyon de Chelly Cross-Country Invitational in Chinle, posting a 16:45, while running the race as a workout. Despite making three wrong turns in the race, Martin was timed in 16:03, nailing down championship honors at Ojo Rojo Lion's Cross-Country Invitational in Chandler, Arizona.

Martin said his coach Tim Martin, who is his father, has laid out plans to improve his times.

"To improve my times this year, I will do that by following the plan our coach has laid out for us," he said. "Also we will be doing all the extra stuff like hip strengthening. For example this year I'm really trying to focus on speed, which in the past has been one of my weaknesses, but I'm definitely getting better and better as I strive to get to my goals."

Martin said he has personal goals he wants to accomplish before his high school graduation this spring.

"Some of my personal goals this season in cross-country is to run 14:50 on the course in Casa Grande, either at Twilight or at the Nike Southwest," Martin explained. "Also, one of my goals this year is to qualify for NXN anjd be part of the Southwest team. Another goal I have for this year is to be the State Champion in my Division (III), with the fastest overall time ovr all divisions."

To reach his goals this season, Martin said he has to race consistent in workouts and focus on stretching and strengthening afterwards to stay healthy and injury-free.

Martin said he is preparing for the Twilight with a shorter workout.

"We want to do a min-taper for one of our biggest meets this year, so we did a workout that was about three miles of work," Martin said. "It was all speed, so we started with an 800 at about the pace the leaders might be going at. We ran 2:20. Then we had a longer break. Then we did 4 400's with 90-seconds rest in between. We did the 400's at faster than race pace after four. We had a longer rest. Then we did four more 400's just a little bit faster. Then we had a longer break. Then another 800. We were done."

He said his training typically includes about 50 to 60 miles a week on a average. He said this past week, the mileage dropped to taper for the meet at Twilight.

Last year Martin finished third place with a 16:14 time at the state meet. During his freshman year, he completed the race in 17:10 for 19th place at state. As a sophomore, he claimed 17th place with a 16:45 clocking.

During track season last spring, Martin won two (3200-9:25 and 1600-4:20) person state championship and anchored the team's 4 x 800 relay (1:59 split) to the state title. He finished seventh place in the 800 with a 2:01 time.

Martin said he is being recruited from various universities to continue his education and distance running career. He said recruiters from BYU and SUU are interested in him. He said he is considering signing with a university and would not consider a junior college.

The Division III and IV girl's and boy's cross-country championships are scheduled for November 2 at Hidden Cove Golf Course in Holbrook. The State Championship is scheduled for November 9 at Cave Creek Golf Course in northwest Phoenix.