Athlete Spotlight: Gracie Martineau
SALEM, Mass. -- This week's athlete spotlight features junior Gracie Martineau (Westminster, Mass.). Martineau was named MASCAC Pitcher of the Week after going 2-0 for the Vikings with a 0.50 ERA and .79 whip in two complete games. She allowed a run on six hits with a walk and two strikeouts in a 2-1 win over Mitchell and scattered three hits with a walk and strikeout in a 7-0 shutout over Fitchburg State.
Can you talk about your performance this past week that led to your player of the week award?
Going into this past week I set a goal for myself to fully trust my spins. I find that I think too much on the mound sometimes and I wanted to really work on that this week. I feel like that really brought me to my success this week on the mound, on top of the amazing work my teammates did in the field behind me to support me. This team is so special and they fill me with so much confidence and I in them on and off the field, and I think that really showed this week as a team.
Are there any short-term goals you'd like to accomplish this season?
A short-term goal I have for this season is just to continue to grow as a player every single day, challenging and competing with myself to get better as a player and person, on and off the field.
Which strengths do you believe you have that make you a great athlete?
A strength I have that I believe makes me a great athlete is my determination. Even when people tell me I will fail or that I am not good enough, I work hard to prove them wrong.
Is there a coach/athlete or someone outside of sports that you look up to as a role model?
My biggest role model is my great grandfather, he was a WWII veteran and the strongest, bravest, most loving and compassionate person I know. Even when he was in his 90's he still managed to come to my games and support me. He has always been my motivation to keep going in this sport no matter how hard it got.
What's the best piece of advice you've gained from your coaches?
The best piece of advice I have gained from my coaches here at SSU is to always be the best teammate and person you can be. At the end of the day the score of the game or what happened doesn't matter, but how you treat the people around you is what is so important. You won't remember the outcomes of the games in college, but you will remember the teammates and amazing humans you meet along the way, and all the memories you create together.
How would your coaches and teammates describe you?
After discussing with fellow teammates they told me that I was a resilient, hard working player and that I am a team player and always put team before myself.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of sports?:
Outside of softball, I enjoy reading, hanging out with friends, going to the gym and going the beach!