story by Lindsay Humphrey
Sharp-shooter Logan Martinez is in his first, and final, year with the NMJHSRA but that doesn’t keep him from setting some big goals for himself. “I want to try to rank first in the state going into nationals, so win the year end award,” said the eighth-grade light rifle competitor. “And then place in the top 20 at nationals. I think I can do it if I just practice every day and shoot to the best of my ability.” During the fall season Logan competed four times between two different rodeos. He went from placing third in his first shoot to taking the top spot at the last one. This left him ranking second overall in light rifle shooting as the spring season gets underway.
Growing up on the family operation – Sanchez Ranch – Logan took an interest in shooting at a young age. “My dad (Alfred) taught me how to shoot originally and then a few years ago I took hunter’s safety and learned even more.” Logan does his best to fire at least a few rounds every day to keep improving. He’s usually aiming at metal targets 600-yards away. He’s realized the only way to get better in this event is to shoot as much as possible. Getting that extra practice in can be tough when you’re balancing a busy schedule like Logan. “During the week I don’t get to shoot much because of school sports. I make sure I practice all weekend.”
School sports weren’t always part of this 14-year-olds life. It’s only been in the last few years that Logan’s been able to try his hand at basketball and football. “I was born with flat feet, absolutely no arch. That made it very painful to walk. There were days when it hurt so bad that I didn’t want to do a single thing.” When Logan was 8, he was able to have surgery to correct his feet. Multiple surgeries on both feet were some of the most challenging times of Logan’s life. He’s thankful for those trying times because he walks, runs and jumps virtually pain free now. “They might have to go in and make some tweaks here and there, but my feet should be good for a lifetime.”
Living and working on the family ranch, most would expect Logan to be a competitive roper. He’s more of a roper for utility than for fun. It’s shooting that he really enjoys both as a hobby and when needed at home. “Shooting has always been something I can do regardless of how my feet felt. Once I started shooting, I realized that I loved it and I didn’t want to quit.” Logan first started shooting competitively through 4-H and still does today. He heard about the NMJHSRA through his friends and gathered up everything he needed to enter as a sixth grader. COVID had other plans and the season was canceled before Logan got to pull a trigger at a rodeo.
“I really like the people in it [the NMJHSRA]; they’re great. I was kind of nervous at first, but everyone made me feel like I fit right in. Now going to shoot at a rodeo is something that I really look forward to.” As Logan prepares for high school rodeo, he’s looking to continue with the light rifle shooting and add in trap shooting. “One of my main goals in high school is to place in the top five in the light rifle my first year.” Luckily, Logan has a great support system behind him that helps him set and reach for these lofty goals. “My dad helps me a lot by just going out there and correcting what I’m doing wrong and by supporting me at the rodeos. My mom (Stacie) also supports me at rodeos and she’s always there to cheer me on, along with my little brothers (Shawn, 12, and Mason, 9).”
