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Recognition Rains on Freshman Soccer Star
by Alexandra Turner
Martin on the ball
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Freshman Abby Martin was homesick, so homesick she planned on transferring from Mars Hill College mid-semester. However, after an incredibly successful fall soccer season, where Martin was named as the South Atlantic Conference Freshman of the Year, as well as All-Conference and All-Region, Martin decided Mars Hill was starting to feel a bit more like home.
A native of Greenville, South Carolina, Martin came from an extremely successful high school soccer program: East Side High School. When she was a senior, her team won the state tournament, and Martin scored the game-winning goal.
She was also the Adidas South East Region Player of the Year that year as well as an All-Region and All-State selection her freshman through senior years. Schools such as Mars Hill College, Winthrop, Furman, University of South Carolina, and Presbyterian College noticed her.
She chose to attend Mars Hill College mainly because she liked that it was close to home, she liked the girls on the team, and she liked the mountains. Also, Martin's boyfriend was attending Furman University in South Carolina to play Golf, and the schools were relatively close.
Martin's presence on the soccer field has been very apparent. In the 2007 season, she led the team in goals (almost unheard of for a freshman), and was given the honor of Conference Freshman of the Year, recognizing Abby's talent as the most successful freshman in the conference.
"Abby is a very intense competitor, and she came into the league with good expectations for herself. She challenged herself to make the most of her freshman year, and I think she did that," says Mars Hill Women's soccer coach Scott Ginn.
She was also named to first team All-Conference and First-team All-Region, which is an incredible feat for a freshman.
Martin started playing soccer at the age of five and never really stopped. "My parents knew I didn't really like gymnastics or ballet, so they put me in soccer." Martin says.
Aside from being an award-winning athlete, She is also excelling academically. She currently holds the highest grade point average on the soccer team: a 4.0. She is an elementary education major and says that she would one day love to teach children with autism. "I just feel that there is such a need for teachers that are willing to work with handicapped children, and I love working with them. I feel like I learn so much from them."
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Last summer Martin traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, to work with children in orphanages. She plans to return to Africa next summer, and this summer is traveling to China to continue working with the orphans and help out with the Olympic Games.
Martin says that one of her favorite things to do when she's not playing soccer is to spend time with her family. "My family is definitely number one!" she says. "I also love going to the beach or lake." When asked if she plans on racking up another honor next soccer season, Martin humbly replied, "Yeah, that'd be nice, but I'd much rather our team do well."
Reader Comment:
Susan Bailey, 5/12/2008, 10:13 a.m.
Abby, congrats, and I'll be praying for you and your future <>< (friends with your mom and Aunt Valerie)
Edward Robertson, 5/12/2008, 12:39 p.m.
Abby,my favorite niece, nothing really surprises me. You are so talented. I look forward to seeing you prosper in the coming years.
LOVE YOU
Margaret Pittman, 5/13/2008, 7:16 a.m.
This is a wonderful article about a very special young woman. We are all very proud of you, Abby, and we love you!
Chris DuBose, 5/13/2008, 7:42 a.m.
A wonderful article about a more wonderful young woman!
Valerie Robertson, 5/14/2008, 2:19 p.m.
I am so proud of my niece, Abby! She is a great role model for young ladies.
Carol Cox, 5/19/2008, 10:29 a.m.
Abby! I knew that you were headed for many great happenings in your life. What an inspiration you are to other young ladies!! You have all ready touched my life, and I know that others will be influenced by your actions and successes in the coming years, as you focus on your life goals. Love ya bunches, Carol
Judi Scurry, 5/20/2008, 5:06 p.m.
A fantastic article about a fantastic young lady. I'm so proud to call you my niece. Using your talents for the Lord and to bless others is exactly what I would have expected of you.
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