by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
Three-sport star Aiden Martell (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa) is a junior strong safety for the 5-0 #5 Michigan Division 3 state ranked Byron City High School football team. He also is a wrestler in the winter and lacrosse player in the spring.
His parents are Kenneth and Terri Martell of Byron Center, Michigan.
“He has started every game at Strong Safety,” said head coach Marc Cisco. “He has 18 tackles and 1 pass defended. He also is a special teams starter on the kick off team, kick off returner with 37 yards per return and three touchdowns, and on the punt team. He has two carries for 43 yards as a back up running back.”
“He is an incredibly physical player,” added Coach Cisco.
During last winter season, Aiden was a wrestler at 152 lbs. His individual records are 15-24 as a frosh, 32-18 as a sophomore, and 31-15 as a junior. He lost two 4-2 matches in Regional’s last year and is looking to be a state qualifier this season.
“Aiden is a wonderful young man,” said wrestling head coach Tom Barker. “He is a four-year wrestler, a team captain, a regional qualifier and a real leader. He is close to attaining his one hundredth career win which should come in the first part of the season. Aiden is a very hard worker both on the mat and in school. He is a great example for the younger wrestlers. I have no doubt Aiden will be successful in whatever he chooses to do.”
In the spring he is a lacrosse player at the defense position. There will be a yet to be named new head coach. Aiden also plays club lacrosse.
“Aiden was the quintessential leader by example for our team and program over the past two summers,” said Tim Murray, head lacrosse coach, True Lacrosse, Grand Valley State University. “His athleticism, attitude, and approach to the game are all characteristics that coaches look for in players. Aiden is the type of young man that you can count on to do his job to the best of his ability every time he took the field. “
“From a coaching standpoint, it was a luxury to have Aiden on the field, because I knew going into every game, that he was going to defend the opposition’s best offensive player, and essentially make him non-existent. He is an absolute shut down defender, which is rare. His understanding and execution of the team concepts, and natural anticipation of the next play, are skills that make him an elite defender. The best part about Aiden, though, is the quality of character he exhibits off the field. He is an absolute competitor between the lines, but he is an even better person. It has been a privilege to coach him for the past two years, and get to know him,” added Coach Murray.
“My dad has influenced me a lot my whole life. He coached me in football from 3rd to 6th grade. He pushed me all the time during football and he’d put me up against the biggest guy on the team and do some kind of hitting drill,” said Aiden.
“I have pride because every competitive thing I do I will do it better than the person, or team, I’m going against,” said Aiden.
Photographs courtesy of Aiden Martell family.
