Archbishop Wood Record-Setting Runner Honored

WARMINSTER, PA —Gary Martin is a runner. And a record breaker. He's also the fastest Pennsylvania high school miler ever.

The 2022 Archbishop Wood Catholic High School graduate was honored Saturday for setting that mark at a ceremony before family, friends, and track & field supporters gathered at Cardinal O'Hara's track where he set the feat.

Martin made his record-breaking performance at the PCL Championship meet in May 2022 by running the mile in 3.57.98, becoming the first-ever high school runner to run a sub-four minute mile without a pacer in an only high school race, and becoming the fastest state high school miler ever, school officials said.

A blessing of the plaques was done by Father Paul O'Donnell, who saw Martin's "unbelievable career" at Archbishop Wood, and special speakers Charlie McNulty, Cardinal O'Hara alum and track program supporter; Don Dijulia of St. Joseph's University, and Martin's Coach Paul Strelickis.

All spoke of Martin's career, character, and legacy at Archbishop Wood and the PCL.

"We are so proud of Gary's accomplishments, and can't wait to see what this Viking alum will continue to accomplish at the University of Virginia," school officials said in a Facebook post.