DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The
Embry-Riddle Athletic Department is mourning the loss of former
cross country and track and field student-athlete Francesca Martino.
Martino passed away after succumbing to injuries sustained in a
motorcycle accident while on her way to her internship with United
Space Alliance in Cape Canaveral, Fla. on Monday morning.
Martino competed
for ERAU’s cross country team from 2004-07 and for the track team
from 2005-08. She helped the Eagles to back-to-back cross country
conference titles in 2006 and 2007, as well as conference league
titles in track in 2007 and 2008. Martino garnered her own
individual honors as she was an All-Region cross selection as a
senior, shaving close to three minutes off her 5K time from the
start to the end of her college career. She was the 2005 regional
champion in the 3,000m steeple chase and currently holds the program
record for the 2,000m steeple chase (9:07.44). Martino was also
named the Academic All-Conference teams in 2004 and 2005 .
Originally from St.
Petersburg, Fla., Martino was also very active on the Embry-Riddle
campus. In addition to her athletic activities, she was very active
in the Student Government Association and the Tri Sigma
sorority.
“Francesca was one of
those people that touched a lot of lives on campus and in the
community,” ERAU head cross country and track and field coach Mike
Rosolino said. “She had a great energy and a passion for life, her
friends and her team. She worked hard and played hard, and
accomplished a lot while she was here. She gave her all in
everything she did.”
Memorial services for
Martino will begin with a viewing from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 23
at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg. A
funeral mass will be held on Oct. 24 at 11 a.m., also at the
Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. In lieu of flowers, donations can
be made to the Francesca Martino College Fund. Embry-Riddle will
also hold a memorial service at 3 p.m. on Oct. 25 at ERAU's
Interfaith Chapel.
Courtesy: EMBRY-RIDDLE
photography
