The success senior cross country runner Martin Fatzinger is experiencing this season is no accident. It’s built on hard work, and his coach sees it.

“Martin is having a solid senior year,” said Coach Jenn Soisson. “He put in the work during the summer and is currently reaping those rewards.”

Martin is a standout runner for the Bellwood-Antis cross country team. He has been a consistent leader, setting the pace for he and his teammates all season long, and helping them have strong finishes every race. The Blue Devils are 10-5 and are in the mix for a District 6 2A team championship.

Over the course of the 2025 season, Fatzinger has had some standout performances, especially at the big meets. He placed fourth in Class A with a time of 18:32, eighth out of 127 runners at the Saint Francis Invitational with a time of 18:47, and 30th out of 148 runners at the Altoona Invitational with a time of 18:36.

“Being consistent has helped me the most to achieve these goals,” Fatzinger said. “I always try to be a leader for others on the team so we can all share our successes.”

Cross country is a demanding sport, both mentally and physically. For a runner to take care of his body is time-consuming, but when it comes to running long distances, it is a must.

“Mentally, I always have to get in the zone and be ready to push through the uncomfortable moments,” he said. “Physically, I have to prepare a full 24 hours before the race with eating, sleeping, stretching, and so much more.”

One final aspect that makes a superior runner is love of the sport – a clear prerequisite for athletes running long distances everyday – and Fatzinger has plenty of that.

“He has a competitive spirit, and his love of running is evident every time he races,” Coach Soisson said.