Roosevelt alumnus sprints his way into national Track Field honor

Roy “Robot” Martin, a 1985 graduate of Roosevelt High School, is among the second class of inductees into the National High School Track amp; Field Hall of Fame.

He is considered one of the greatest high school sprinters in American history, later helping SMU win the 1986 NCAA track amp; field competition and competed in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Korea.

During his senior year, Martin set the National High School Record for the 200 meters with a time of 20.13 seconds – at the state championship meet in Austin. He recorded the fasted prep time in the nation for the 100 meters at 10.18 seconds, and anchored the Roosevelt 4x100 and 4x400 meter relay teams with times (40.28 seconds and 3:09.4 minutes, respectively) that remain among the fastest ever recorded for high school competitors. Track amp; Field News named him Male Prep Athlete of the Year in 1984 and 1985. He was also ranked No. 3 in the world for the 200 meters in his senior year.

Martin earned the nickname “Robot” from Roosevelt classmates because of the machine-like form he took while running.