Brenda Martinez
Athlete, post-1970
Brenda’s passion for running began at age 5 when her parents enrolled her in an after-school track club. Her desire to excel manifested itself in area youth meets and at Rancho Cucamonga High School. Her recruitment to run for UCR began a series of firsts for Brenda. She became the first in her family to go to a university, she led the cross country team to its first Big West title, she was the first runner to represent UCR in the Division I Track and Field Championships and she became the University’s first NCAA Division I All-American.