File
Kristofer Martin ... 'Watching the U.S. Open and the pros you realise that a living can be made from tennis. It kind of pushes you.'

Audley Boyd, Assistant Sport Editor

ONE DREAM realised, Kristofer Martin leaves next Saturday to take up a scholarship at Bethune Cookman University in the United States, with a focus to rally his tennis potential to a different level.

Martin, who has represented Jamaica and Wolmer's Boys' School with distinction, will get his orientation on January 3 at the Flprida-based institution, after spending a fair amount of effort to secure the opportunity that will give him a shot to enhance his game and education at the same time.

Keeping the Wolmerian spirit

"After representing Jamaica a few times, I made friends, people with whom I still communicate. During my college research, they helped me to find schools that offered scholarships," Martin said this week.

"It (Bethune Cookman) is one of the top nursing schools, a historically black school and they have the maroon and gold colours, the Wolmer's colours, the Wolmerian spirit. That will motivate me and keep me focussed. As a national representative, at the school you help to promote the school and influence people to play the sport."

Martin, who, at 14, became the second junior to win an amateur Open title when he took the Magil Amateur Open Tennis Classic at the Liguanea Club, says he feels overjoyed to be given the chance to advance his game and studies.

"I feel overwhelmed knowing that hard work has paid off. All your interest, time and focus has finally gotten you something that you wanted," exclaimed Martin. "Tennis-wise, it'll take me to the college level which is the next level after the local development stage. The college level is where you get to really showcase your skills. The next step after that is professional and most of the pros come from the colleges."

The 19-year-old represented Jamaica in several junior tournaments, including the prestigious Orange Bowl 39th International Championship in Miami where he participated in the 12 and under category, the West Palm Beach Country Champs and the Boca Raton tourney.

He was also a member of the junior national team which won the International Tennis Federation Junior Davis Cup Central American and Caribbean competition in 2004 and he has also won a number of junior tournaments here.

Martin, who attended Mona High before moving on to Wolmer's, led the Heroes Circle-bordering institution to four consecutive senior high school titles and earned the Arthur Schofield Award for being the most outstanding male player.

Actually, the gifted teen started playing at the tender age of four and has been guided throughout his career by his father, Karl, as well as others whom he describes as "influential coaches".

While at Wolmer's, Martin also assisted in coaching and is still active in that role at the Llockett McGregor and other tennis camps.

"After Llockett McGregor started me off, last summer marked my seventh year coaching, so it was easier to help my school to where it has reached now, winning four titles straight at the national high school level."

Reaching targets

He also helped coach another national junior who is away on scholarship, Tyler Chin.

"That's another reason for really being happy, as a fellow Jamaican I've contributed to the sport," he said. "Contributing and helping to develop junior tennis is one of my goals."

And there are other targets

"After completing my degree I'll try to take it to the next step - to lift JamaicaÕs name on the international scene and be a role model for the younger players in Jamaica," Martin promised. "Watching the U.S. Open and the pros, you realise that a living can be made from tennis. It kind of pushes you."