As soon as swimming and diving head coach Jeff Cavana pulls into the Natatorium parking lot for practice, Evan Martinec is there waiting to begin.
Cavana chats with him as he unlocks the door.
The other athletes will trickle in later, but Cavana said Martinec is always the first to get there.
“Evan is the ultimate in work ethic,” Cavana said.
The junior from Tacoma, Wa., is the LSU record holder in the 100-yard backstroke and a three-time NCAA All-American.
Martinec broke the record his freshman year and then broke his own record his sophomore season by swimming the race in 47.31 seconds.
“He strives daily to raise [his swimming] up to a new level,” Cavana said. “That’s why each year he’s gotten better.”
Martinec’s teammates also notice his work ethic. They said he mostly stays to himself at practice and competitions.
“He’s the quiet type,” said teammate Justin Boyes, who is also Martinec’s roommate. “He knows what to do, and he does it.”
Boyes said Martinec will go off into a corner to be alone and prepare mentally at meets.
“He mentally prepares better than anyone I’ve seen in my swimming career,” Boyes said. “I look up to him as a swimmer.”
This year Martinec finished second in the Southeastern Conference, adding the title of All-SEC to his numerous other accolades. Boyes said Martinec is modest despite his talent and success.
“He has all the talent in the world and the mental aspect that takes him to the top,” he said.
Yet, Boyes said Martinec is not the cocky type.
Four members of the men’s swimming and diving team will represent LSU in the NCAA National Championships Thursday. Martinec is not only swimming the 100-yard backstroke, but he is also a member of the 400-medley relay team that will compete at the NCAAs.
“He’s a vital part of our relays,” Cavana said. “He’s going to help us probably be in the top 20.”
Cavana said Martinec is a great leader day in and day out whose competitive nature motivates him to work harder.
“He’s just a good guy,” said Boyes. “He’s at the level I want to be.”