LJ FH: Martinez did double duty

Coach Sandy Martinez (head down), Amanda Combs

Warford's high school coach, listens to Combs

after the first quarter Tues., Aug. 26, between

Lilly Ferrari (19) and Olivia Morrison-Reyes (8).

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Coach Sandy Martinez, coaching La Jolla's JV "B" team as Ashley Cross's fill-in, had quite a story to tell Thursday, August 28.

Besides serving as the long-time head coach of El Capitan's field hockey program--where she had Amanda Combs (now Warford), the Vikings' present coach, as an All-CIF performer--Martinez also juggled duties at Westview in 2021.

The context: COVID restrictions. CIF suddenly announced in January 2021 that all sports could play mini-seasons. The different sports overlapped, and people had to react quickly if their schools were going to play (La Jolla football played five games, with no postseason playoffs).

Laughing, Sandy related, "I'd coach El Capitan in the morning, then drive to Westview for a late-afternoon practice." It was rush-rush, somewhat insane, but Martinez apparently loved it, because she loves the sport and coaching the girls.

The opportunity presented itself, and she took it.

The veteran coach went into a second retirement last year after three years at La Jolla under her former players, Combs Warford, who has built the program to an elite level in the last eight years. The Vikings were a CIF Open Division finalist for the first time.

Then Amanda came a-calling, and she is substituting for Cross, who coached the JV "B"'s last year for the first time. Ashley is way out there, ready for her delivery coming very soon. She was present at practice Thursday.

Martinez's first retirement came after stepping down at El Capitan. Two years ago, the entire Viking coaching staff were alumnae of the Vaquero program under Martinez.