On Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, Central Bucks East seniors Brooke Martin, Rachel Martin and Mikayla Horvath were recognized for committing to continue their track careers at the collegiate level. To view photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery.
“They all brought some great attributes to the team,” coach Steve Martin said. “Hopefully, they’ll leave some big shoes to fill, but I’m sure some of the girls they’ve been mentors to will do a nice job in filling those shoes.”
Mikayla Horvath – Bucknell University (Track & Field)
Major: Chemistry
Reasons for choosing Bucknell: “I was considering Bucknell pretty early. I knew I wanted a smaller school because I wanted to have close relationships with my professors, and they also have a really good chem program. The team was more like a family. The guys and girls all practice together, and I wanted to find a team where everyone was always together and where I would enter with a group of friends.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in track at the collegiate level? “I started track in middle school. A lot of my friends had done it through CYO, but I didn’t start until seventh grade. I never really considered college as an option - it was kind of for fun. My sophomore and junior year I gained a lot of confidence, and that’s when I started thinking – maybe I can do this in college because I just couldn’t imagine not doing it.”
Coach Steve Martin says: “Mikayla Horvath has been a tremendous leader for the team. She’s really a hard worker. Her specialties are short sprints – 100 and 200 meters. She’s always willing to help out the underclassmen. She’s been truly successful with her work ethic, and I think that will carry on, and she’ll be a great asset to the Bucknell program.”
About Mikayla:
Favorite food: Ice Cream
Favorite TV show: The Office
Favorite music: Alternative
Brooke Martin – Saint Joseph’s University (Track & Field)
Major: Exercise Science
Final list of colleges: St. Joe’s, High Point
Reasons for choosing St. Joe’s: “I was going to hear back from Boston College and Villanova in March, but I decided to go to St. Joe’s. I went on an official visit, and I could tell my host wanted me to have the best experience and to meet everyone on the team. The team was so close. When we went to meals, they had assigned seats for just the track team, and the boys and girls would all sit together, and they were all really close. I felt like a part of them already.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in track at the collegiate level? “In the beginning, I was shy and just wanted to have fun, and when I got to junior year, I took it more seriously. I tried to push myself at practices and tried to improve. Then I realized I had the capability of running at the collegiate level.”
Coach Steve Martin says: “Brooke Martin’s specialties range from the 100-meter all the way up to the 800 meters. She has been pretty much our MVP and our top sprinter, especially in the 200, 400 and 800. I think the one thing that has contributed to her success is to never become complacent. She’s someone who achieves her goals and then sets new ones. She’s never satisfied in just accomplishing one goal. She’ll just keep going after it. The determination and the work she’s put in is just going to continue that success onto the collegiate level.”
About Brooke:
Favorite food: Mangos or Kiwis
Favorite movie/TV show: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle/Friends
Favorite music: Khalid
Rachel Martin – High Point University (Track & Field)
Major: Interior Design/Media Production
Final list of colleges: High Point, University of New Haven
Reasons for choosing High Point: “I chose High Point because when I walked on campus it felt really safe, and it had a lot of opportunities for me. Everybody says if you go into interior design – High Point is like a red carpet to getting a job. They have a furniture market where Chip and Joanna Gaines come down, and you set up a design and try to sell things. For media production, they also have the products and the stage to succeed.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in track at the collegiate level? “I started running cross country when I was in second grade and track since I was in fourth grade. I’ve dedicated all my time to it, and I didn’t want to just give it up.”
Coach Steve Martin says: “Rachel’s specialties range anywhere from the 100 meters all the way up to the 800 meters. One thing that really stands out with Rachel is her determination never to falter. I think she’s learned that from some of her setbacks and really uses that to fuel and motivate her to push to accomplish her goals. She’s another one who’s been a great help and leader in teaching and helping the underclassmen. I think she’ll be a great asset to High Point University and helping develop that program.”
About Rachel:
Favorite food: S’mores
Favorite TV shows: Impractical Jokers & Big Brother
Favorite movies: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle & She’s the Man
Favorite music: Pop - Khalid
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