Pedro Martinez Wins Sportsmanship Award

Pedro with his father. Photo by Jin Yup Jung '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

Pedro Martinez Wins Sportsmanship Award

                                                       By Jin Yup Jung ‘14

Last Saturday Feb. 1st, a Red Cloud wrestler not only earned a place in the Red Cloud Wrestling Invitational, but he also won another award.

Senior Pedro Martinez received an award named the Curtis Bear Robe Sportsmanship award at the Red Cloud Wrestling Tournament. Curtis wrestled in the early 1990s. He had a very successful career at Red Cloud. He served the country in the military. Curtis was always someone who wrestled fairly. Therefore, when he died too young, the Red Cloud wrestling program asked his family if we could use his name on our sportsmanship award. His mother Carmelita Two Elk still works for Red Cloud. Red Cloud also would like to thank his father, Cecil, and his whole family. Red Cloud wrestling is very honored to be allowed to memorialize this fine young graduate of Red Cloud with this very special award.

This is the first year for Pedro in wrestling, and he is recently moved to South Dakota from Puerto Rico with his family for his senior year. Pedro has been having a great season not only for Red Cloud wrestling but also for his Rushmore soccer team in Rapid City. 

“It was great at a soccer tournament in Sioux Falls since I had the chance to make a lot of assists and a goal,” Pedro said. “Also, I felt very surprised about that award and glad since I really didn’t do well on the mat at the Red Cloud Tournament.”

The previous Red Cloud wrestlers who have been awarded the Sportsmanship award are Jin Yup Jung ‘13, Julian Hernandez ‘10, and Filbert Janis ‘92. The award is not given out every year.

As a senior leader, he is an energizer on the team. “Pedro is always keeping people's spirits up by his off-the-wall stories and observations,” Coach Clay Leonard said. “One needs to ask him about color numbers and color math to fully experience the full Pedro. His vast movie knowledge will keep you entertained for hours.”

Even though this is his first year in wrestling, Pedro has accomplished lots in his matches. He beat some experienced wrestlers by mostly pins. He is still progressing, and he’s been working hard for the upcoming regionals at Rapid City Stevens High School in two weeks.

Congratulations to Martinez! Felicitaciones!