Senior midfielder Alex Martinez led the N.C. State men’s soccer team in goals and assists last season, and he currently leads the team in assists this year. But were it not for a failed fitness test, Martinez might have never played for the Pack.
Martinez, who transferred to N.C. State from High Point University, finished his sophomore season as the Panthers’ leading goal scorer. But his inability to pass a routine fitness test after the season led to his dismissal from the program.
“That was a pretty hard time for me,” Martinez said. “But when I came to State, the trainers did a bunch of tests on me and found out that I was anemic, and I basically had no iron in my body.”
Common symptoms of anemia include rapid energy loss during exercise and fatiguing easily, as well as shortness of breath and headaches.
“That’s the big reason why I couldn’t pass the fitness test,” Martinez said. “I would’ve never found that out if I didn’t come to State, so it was kind of a blessing.”
Martinez said he hasn’t looked back since his transfer, becoming the first player under third-year head coach Kelly Findley to earn first team All-ACC honors. College Soccer News also recognized him as a 2013 preseason second team All-American.
Martinez, who is an active member of Athletes in Action, uses his faith to keep soccer and his accolades in perspective.
“Since I was nine, I’ve always gone to church,” Martinez said. “But I wasn’t a truly faithful person until I came to State. I started getting closer and closer to my faith and through AIA, we started a Bible study with the team.”
“I used to think that soccer was everything, but I’ve come to realize that soccer is a big part and also a really small part of my life. My life continues on even without soccer.”
Martinez, who lived in Uruguay until he was nine years old, said his favorite player is Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, along with Liverpool forward and fellow Uruguayan Luis Suarez. Like Suarez, Martinez is known for his tenacity on the field, something that his coach says is essential to success.
“He’s a great competitor,” Findley said. “I think Alex has a great desire to win and that comes out in his passion. As a coach, you want all of your players to have the kind of passion that Alex has for the game.”
Martinez’s attacking versatility has added another dimension to the Wolfpack’s offense. Before coming to State, Martinez played primarily as a central attacking midfielder, but Findley has played the senior exclusively as a winger since arriving at State.
Findley said that Martinez’s skill set allows him to be one of State’s most important attacking pieces.
“He’s a great one-on-one player,” Findley said. “Isolating him on the flank and letting him take on guys one-on-one really changes what we’re able to do tactically.”
Martinez said that he wants N.C. State fans to remember him after his playing days are over.
“I want to leave my mark here,” Martinez said. “State is such a big school, and it really supports soccer, so I want people to remember me here.”
