LOWELL — Andover's Rob Martin looked the picture of focus before the Merrimack Valley Conference Meet last Saturday, nearly unrecognizable with a white hood over his head and his face obscured by a pair of Top Gun-era sun glasses.
It is that intensity that has become the signature for the man that hopes to one day go by the title Dr. Martin.
"I'm a very focused person," said the senior co-captain. "I work to stay on task and never let anything slip both on the track and off. I want to challenge myself."
At the MVC Meet, Martin delivered the race of his career as he leaned forward at the last inch to win the 400 by just 0.05 in a result that had to be reviewed before it was announced. But track may not even be the area in which Martin best excels.
"Rob has elevated himself so much in track," said Andover sprint coach Scott Price. "He is an MVC champ and has the chance to be a state champion, and that all comes down to intelligence and dedication to be the best. And it is the same in track as it is in class. He is the epitome of a student-athlete."
That hard work and dedication is never stronger than in the classroom. In the fall he will start his first semester at elite Johns Hopkins University, where he will pursue his dream of becoming a doctor.
"The summer before my junior year my dad and I visited the campus and I fell in love," he said. "It was so beautiful, and Baltimore is a city a lot like Boston. The city is the place for me. I applied early acceptance, so I learned I had been accepted after Thanksgiving."
Martin has stood out in academics since elementary school, and once he entered high school he earned National Honor Society status. This year, while seniors everywhere are cruising towards graduation, Martin has tested himself in Advanced Placement Latin, English, chemistry and calculus.
He hopes that effort will prepare him for the challenges waiting for him at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, which is ranked No. 2 in the country by US News. He also plans to run track at the Division 3 school.
"Johns Hopkins has a great reputation in the medical field," he said. "I have wanted to study medicine since I was young. Surgery and the human body have always interested me. I am fascinated by human anatomy.
"I love dissecting things. We have dissected a pig and cat in school and I know a lot of people think it's disgusting, but I love it. I am always on the Discovery Channel watching documentaries on different surgeries. That complements track in some weird way. In track, you learn to push your body to limit."
This season has been the pinnacle of a four-year varsity track career for Martin. In the winter, he won the state title as part of the 4x400 relay, which also took second at New Englands. The Golden Warriors also took home the All-State crown as a team.
That success has continued into the spring. After a stellar regular season, at the MVC Meet, Martin ran the anchor leg of the 4x400 relay — which he has been a member of since freshman year — that won in 4:04.99 and took the dramatic 400 in 51.07, just ahead of Joe Van Gelder of Chelmsford (51.12).
Martin, who missed all of last postseason with an injury, will run at the Division 1 meet on Saturday. And his coaches expect even more from him in upcoming meets.
"He is running unbelievable," said Andover head coach Peter Comeau. "I think he has a chance to become the next Andover runner to break 50 seconds in the 400 after myself, Rick Collins and (school record holder) Carnell Cooper. Running (under) 50 is really a big deal for a boy."
But Martin is not simply a runner for the Golden Warriors, he has also developed a second job, as an assistant coach and advisor.
"Our sprint coach (Price) works at an elementary school so he does not get out until practice starts," Martin said. "So I'm the sprint coach through warm-ups and for the first part of practice. Sometimes he even gives me the workouts ahead of time.
"I am all business. I don't take any garbage from anyone, even my best friends on the team. I like to keep them focused and on task. The seniors will sometimes give me some trouble, but I don't let it get to my head. I want to do whatever it takes to be successful."
With the spring track season nearing its end, the Golden Warriors coaching staff is not looking forward to going into next year without their leader.
"When I met him he was a 53 (second) 400 runner," said Price. "He might not be the most talented guy out there, but his intelligence and heart have allowed him to be one of the best around at an event that is all guts and no glory. I have no doubt that, when his track career is over, he will be successful at whatever he does."
The Rob Martin File
Age: 18
Sport: Track
On the track: Last Saturday, won the Merrimack Valley Conference title in the 400, and ran anchor of 4x400 relay that took first. Has been a member of the relay for four years. Also helps coach sprinters.
In the classroom: Received early acceptance to elite Johns Hopkins, where he will study to become a surgeon. As a senior, took Advanced Placement Latin, English, chemistry and calculus. A member of National Honor Society.
