Charlotte Martin ’28 is a junior runner for the Swarthmore women’s cross country team. Hailing from Southlake, TX, Martin led the Garnet with a 17th-place finish at the Haverford Main Line Invitational event on Friday, Sept. 18. She ran a personal-record time of 18:17.9 and was the top Division III runner at the meet. Her time was also the fastest performance by a Swarthmore runner on the Haverford 5K course.
That performance followed another great showing at the Bryn Mawr Invite, where Martin also ran at the front of the pack, placing third with a 20:39.7 finish, right behind her Swarthmore teammate Aaliyah Anaskevich ’28.
This is a great start from Martin, who is looking to follow up her USTFCCCA All-Region performance from last season. A graduate of Southlake Carroll High School, Martin is a computer science and psychology double major here at Swarthmore.
Charlie Watson: How was your run at Haverford’s Main Line Invite? How were you feeling?
Charlotte Martin: It’s a really good race because it’s the season opener, so you get to see where you’re at and see where the team is at. It’s a good starting point. All of us girls had the mindset to go conservative in the first half and pick it up in the second half, and I think we executed pretty well. I think it’s a good confidence booster going into the season. We all feel really fit after working hard all offseason, so it’s great to get to show that. To actually have the hard work pay off and see the results was pretty exciting.
CW: How’d it feel running a PR and coming in as the fastest Division III finisher?
CM: I was able to negative split the race [running each consecutive mile faster than the previous], which is always nice. It’s always nice ending fast, and it leaves you more hopeful about the next race, like I have more to give.
It was a little scary because I started out, like, 50th, and then you’re like, ‘Oh shoot, I’m not doing great.’ But then I ended up 17th-ish. You just have to trust [Head Coach] Pete [Carroll]. He’s the one who has us on the strategy of going out all conservative and then picking it up, so gotta trust.
Martin made a note to make sure we thank her coach for all of the great work he’s done for them.
CW: How are you feeling going into the Paul Short Run this Friday?
CM: I think it’ll be good. It’s a big race; it’s absolutely packed, filled with Division I teams. It’ll be fun though. The top five girls [on our team] are all so close together, so we get to compete against each other. I don’t love the course; I’m not gonna lie. And it’s our first 6K, which doesn’t seem like that big of a difference, but that extra kilometer at the end of a race hits you.
CW: Is there any meet coming up you’re particularly looking forward to?
CM: Rowan Border Battle is really exciting for everyone, because first of all, there are a lot of the teams from our region there, so we get to see where we’re at in national placement. But also, [more importantly] the winner gets a sword. I don’t know if there is better motivation than that. I don’t know if anyone from Swarthmore has ever won and gotten the sword, but I really want it. I think it sounds sick. I need to get my hands on that sword.
CW: How do you think the team is looking for nationals?
CM: Honestly, I’m pretty confident. All the girls worked so hard this summer; we’re all super fit. We only lost one girl from our top-seven last year, so I feel like we are stacked. The junior class is so strong. We’re all super hopeful. Now that we’ve started the precedent of going to nationals, it’s not really “a dream” anymore. Now we’ve actually done it, it makes [nationals] a goal that’s so much more achievable.
CW: Do you have any pre- or post-meet rituals?
CM: I can’t take it too seriously. I’m not someone who can stay locked in before a race. I have to be happy and excited to run, excited to race. Because nerves can be good, but they can also be bad. So I definitely just try to get myself excited for the race.
CW: What’s your favorite Sharples meal?
CM: I freaking love Sharples. I am Sharples’ biggest fan. Their Greek yogurt, their Rice Krispies treats, their pizza with the mozzarella and the pesto — every time they have that … insane. Also, I feel like not that many people try them, but their cheddar and chive scones … delicious. I could talk about Sharples for years.
CW: What’s something not cross-country-related that you think you’re better than 99% of the population at?
CM: I am convinced I am such a good baker. Chocolate chocolate chip cookies and chocolate zucchini bread. This summer I brought [the zucchini bread] to the office.
CW: What is your hottest take about campus?
CM: I’m convinced Sharples is the best food in the world. And even on bad days, it’s literally delicious. Sharples made me understand why people gain the “Freshman 15.”
CW: Who is the coolest person that you are one connection away from?
CM: Oh my gosh! I’m best friends with an Olympian, Sammy Watson; he does speed climbing, which is kinda niche, but he’s an Olympian nonetheless. He won bronze, and he set the world record for speed climbing.
CW: What’s your guilty pleasure movie?
CM: I hate rewatching movies, cause it’s like I already know what’s going to happen. Where’s the fun in that? In general though, the awful Hallmark Christmas movies … I’m obsessed with them. I’m so obsessed with them. I’ve watched every one, so now I have to go to Netflix and watch the crappy ones on there.
