State Track: Williston's Dominic Martinez Finds Success Running Hurdles

By Tom Mix
NDHSAA Media Specialist

WILLISTON, N.D. – Williston junior Dominic Martinez has a knack for running the hurdles and clearing obstacles is something the young North Dakota prep track standout has had to do in his life.

Martinez, who will compete at the NDHSAA State Track and Field Meet this weekend at the Community Bowl in Bismarck, has taken the long way to get to this point and many stretches of his path were not easy to navigate.

Martinez, 17, was born in New Braunfels, Texas. His childhood was not stable as he and his three biological siblings often moved from house to house of friends and family members. Martinez said his biological father wasn’t always present at that time in his life and his mother, Lisa Martinez, struggled to keep her family together.

Martinez said he can remember a time when his family was evicted from an apartment his mother was renting and once again it was time to find someone to take them in.

Eventually, Martinez began to distinguish himself as a promising student athlete. The only thing missing was an opportunity to improve and Martinez received just that when a mutual friend of Liza Martinez put her and Dominic, then a freshman in high school, in touch with a family that was eager to help.

The couple was James Dykes and his wife Lisa (Evans) Dykes – who is originally from Williston. At the time when they first met Dominic and inquired about becoming his legal guardians, the Dykes lived in San Antonio. James was a teacher and coach at private high school and said the chance to adopt Dominic was all about giving him better opportunities.

“At first my mom was against it,” Dominic said. “Eventually we realized I would have a better life and she didn’t want to see me struggle.”

The Dykes along with Dominic moved to Williston last summer. Dominic played basketball for the Coyotes and this spring burst onto the track scene.

He owns the second fastest seed time (14.72 seconds) in the 110-meter hurdles. In total, he qualified for state in five events – the 400-, 800- and the 1,600-meter relays along with the 300 meter hurdles.

“Track has always been something I’ve enjoyed to do and I’ve worked hard at it,” Martinez said. “Hopefully I can compete well at state.”

James Dykes is an assistant coach on the team and said he continues to be impressed with Dominic.

“A lot of kids in his situation maybe would have made excuses as to why they can’t make their lives better, but he chose to do something to make his life better and he is blessed because of that,” James Dykes said.

Martinez said he still remains in contact with his biological parents and siblings.

This spring is Martinez’s first as a varsity athlete. He wasn’t allowed to compete last season in San Antonio due to a transfer rule, but that didn’t discourage him.

“This is my third different high school in three years,” Martinez said. “I’ve had to make a lot of adjustments, but I don’t regret one thing I’ve done because it has all led me here to be in this great situation. I’m so blessed to be where I’m at.”

Friday, Martinez will compete in prelims of the 300 and 110 hurdles hoping to earn spots in Saturday’s finals.

“Dominic is the type of athlete you want on your team,” Williston head boys track and field coach Alex Gilbertson said. “He is self-motivated and that helps. When I first saw him on the track the first thing I thought was ‘wow, he is talented and he’ll have a good chance at getting on the podium this season at state.’”