Cathedral High School senior Christopher Martin has been a part of state championship baseball and golf teams. But it’s an honor he recently earned for his work in the classroom that has him just as proud. Martin was presented with the Lindy Callahan Scholar Athlete Award for District VII. The award is one of the Mississippi High School Athletic Association’s top awards for student-athletes.

&uot;It’s really a great honor to be recognized for all the hard work that I’ve put in over the years, not just for athletics, but for academics as well,&uot;&160;Martin said.

Martin, the son of Lee and Deborah Martin, received a $1,000 scholarship for the award.

Martin, who plans on attending the University of Mississippi in the fall, has decided to major in chemical engineering.

&uot;I really enjoy sports, but I don’t think it’s going to be too difficult to adjust to not playing sports while I’m at college,&uot; Martin said.

&uot;I’m actually looking forward to it, because I&160;think it’s going to be easier than high school.&uot;&160;

Martin carries a 4.3 GPA, scored a 32 on his ACT, and was named salutatorian of his senir class.

&uot;Athletics just always came easy to me. The academic part of school was the hard part.

&uot;My mom really pushed me when I&160;was younger, but when I started getting older I&160;just realized that if I&160;wasn’t into it, then I&160;wasn’t going to accomplish much,&uot;&160;Martin said.

Martin also said that the main reason he was able to maintain such a high GPA and excel on the baseball field, basketball court and golf course was due to self motivation.

&uot;I just took it upon myself once I&160;hit junior high, and realized that if I&160;pushed myself to do well, there was no way that I&160;couldn’t do well,&uot;&160;Martin said.

Martin admits, however, that it wasn’t all fun and games.

&uot;It took a lot of hard work on my part in order to find time to squeeze everything into a day, especially when I was playing golf and baseball,&uot; Martin said.

Martin said his main goals for academics and athletics were the same … &uot;to succeed.&uot;

&uot;In my opinion, nothing is worth doing, unless it’s done well and right.&uot;