Ella Martinez Follows Brother’s Footsteps With Verbal Commitment to Cornell

Photo Courtesy: Ella Martinez

NEW COMMIT: Cornell University has received a new verbal commitment* for the 2022-23 season and beyond from U.S. Open qualifier Ella Martinez of Boca Raton, Florida.

Her older brother, Ricardo Martinez, is a senior on the Big Red’s roster. She will join Lindsay McCormack of San Francisco, Calif. as a member of the Class of 2026.

She told Swimming World:

“I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at Cornell University! I have been truly blessed to have worked with so many amazing coaches who have helped me get to where I am today. From Seattle to St. Petersburg and now Boca Raton, I have had the privilege of being part of many teams and I want to thank every coach, teammate, and competitor who pushed me to be my best and made me laugh during even the toughest sets. I want to thank my family for their support, especially my brother Ricardo, who made me want to be just like him. I also owe a special thanks to Cornell coaches Patrick Gallagher and Carolyn Meier for offering me this great opportunity. I can’t wait to continue my swimming and education at such an amazing place. GO BIG RED!”

Martinez’s swimming journey has included swimming on six club teams — West Seattle YMCA, Bellevue Club Swim Team, St. Petersburg Aquatics, Clearwater Aquatics, East Coast Aquatics, and Saint Andrew’s Aquatics. Along the way she has been selected to National and Zone Select Camps, won numerous Coaches’ Awards, and broken two Florida LSC backstroke records. A versatile mid-distancer, she has U.S. Open and Junior National cuts in the 200 IM, 400 IM, 200 back, and 200 free.

She has swum club with Saint Andrew’s Aquatics since April 2019. Last spring, she competed in the 2021 Open Water 7.5K Junior National Championship, finishing 11th in a field of 21 women. This summer, Martinez got personal best LC times in the 100 free, 100 fly, and 100 back. At the NCSA Summer Championship in Huntsville, Alabama, Martinez participated in the team’s winning 4x200m free relay.

Her best times include (SCY / LCM):

400 IM – 4:24.77 / 4:58.18
200 IM – 2:03.55 / 2:20.99
200 free – 1:50.20 / 2:04.57
200 back – 2:00.42 / 2:18.44
200 fly – 2.02.90 / 2:20.38
100 back – 56.13 / 1:05.39r
50 back – 26.19 / 30.96

A senior at Saint Andrew’s School, Martinez will be co-captain of the Scots this year as they challenge perennial state champion Bolles for the state 1A title in November. Last year, the Scots were state runners-up with Martinez leading-off the winning 4×50 medley relay, racing the third leg of the second-place 4×100 free relay, and finishing third in both the 200 IM and 100 back.

She earned All-American honors for the 4×50 medley relay (which was the top time among all Florida high schools), the 4×100 Free Relay, and her 200 IM.

*IVY LEAGUE DISCLAIMER:* A “verbal commitment” does not guarantee admission. An Ivy League coach cannot guarantee admission but can only commit support in the admissions process.

If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.

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