Orange High’s Martinez to Run at Azusa Pacific

Jaime Martinez, standout cross-country runner from Orange High School, has made an oral commitment to Azusa Pacific, Orange Coach Ed Cantu said Monday.

Martinez, The Times Orange County runner of the year, received offers from more than 20 colleges, including Notre Dame. But Martinez wanted to stay close to home, Cantu said, deciding on Azusa Pacific after visiting the campus. Azusa Pacific, an NAIA university, is giving Martinez a five-year scholarship to help ensure his graduation.

“Azusa Pacific has a good program, especially in the middle and long distances,” Cantu said. “They’ve competed against and defeated a lot of Division I schools.”

Martinez qualified for his second consecutive Foot Locker Nationals this season (finishing 12th). This spring he will run track for Orange, where he was the Southern Section Division II mile champion as a junior.