CSHS Athlete of the Week Hector Miguel Martinez

Hector Miguel Martinez is a Senior at Canyon Springs High School, home of the Cougars. He is an outstanding student who maintains a strong 3.2 GPA, successfully balancing the demands of academics and athletics despite a busy schedule. Hector has been playing soccer for 10 years, beginning at just seven years old. He currently plays as a Striker for Canyon Springs High School, where his speed, strength, and finishing ability make him a constant offensive threat. Outside of competition, Hector enjoys staying active and well-rounded. His hobbies include playing soccer and tennis for fun, running, working out, spending time with family and friends, eating, sleeping, and connecting with nature. Hector’s list of accomplishments is impressive. Athletically, he has earned MVP honors in multiple games, been named Player of the Season, won tournaments, and competed with a top ECNL team. Academically, he has been part of the AVID program for seven years, earned a high GPA, received numerous college acceptances, and gained consistent praise from teachers for his work ethic and character. One of the biggest highlights of Hector’s season came during Senior Night against Heritage High School, where he delivered an unforgettable performance by scoring two goals. The first goal came from a perfectly timed run onto a through ball, where he outpaced and outmuscled his defender before finishing near post. His second goal was a confidently taken penalty, slotted into the bottom left corner. These goals were especially meaningful to Hector, as they reflected the hard work he put in during the offseason in which he improved his finishing, speed, strength, and penalty technique. This season, he successfully converted five of six penalty kicks, a testament to his preparation and focus. When asked what motivates him, Hector shared, “I have so many influences in my life. My siblings always put a smile on my face when I’m feeling down. My stepdad stepped up and played the role of a father I never had. My family, friends, and the soccer players I watch all inspire me. But the one who stands out the most is my mom. She is hardworking, determined, kind, driven, and always finds a way to make me smile. There aren’t words to explain how badly I want to succeed to repay all the blood, sweat, and tears she’s given to give my siblings and me a better life. My mom is my reason why—my superhero—and she deserves everything good that has happened and everything good still to come.” Hector’s ultimate goal is to become a professional soccer player, a dream he has held since childhood while watching professional players and his older brother compete. While fully committed to that dream, Hector also values education and planning ahead. His backup plan includes attending community college to earn his Associate degree, then transferring to a four-year university to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. A quote Hector lives by is from Cristiano Ronaldo, “Your love makes me strong, your hate makes me unstoppable.” He shared that it was Cristiano Ronaldo’s birthday on the day of his interview and said it would be a dream come true if this article ever reached him. Hector loves this quote because the love from his circle gives him strength, while doubt and criticism fuel his drive to work harder and prove others wrong. Hector also wanted to share with readers with this message, “To any young aspiring athletes, anything is possible when you put your mind to it, no matter who you are or where you come from. If you’re struggling with confidence or underperforming, get back up, keep trying, and prove everyone wrong because that’s the best feeling ever. And if you feel like you have no one, just know you are never alone. You will always have God. He listens, He cares, and His love is endless. He was there for me when I was struggling with confidence and happiness, and giving my life to Him changed everything.” Hector’s performance, leadership, and impact on Senior Night clearly demonstrated why he was selected as Athlete of the Week. He is an exceptional student-athlete, an inspiring teammate, and a proud Cougar. There is no doubt that Hector has a bright future ahead, and we wish him nothing but success because the best is yet to come.