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Michigan State University Spartan track and field athlete Tony Martin passed away early Sunday morning after being gunned down at a gas station in Saginaw. Martin was 19 years old.
Martin competed in sprinting events and the long jump during his career at MSU. He had aspirations to compete in the Olympics one day. Michigan State Track and Field’s Twitter account posted the following tribute yesterday to their lost teammate:
We send our condolences to the family and friends on the passing of Tony Martin. pic.twitter.com/d4yuQNyc7h
— MSU Track & Field/XC (@MSUTrackFieldXC) July 19, 2020
According to Saginaw Police, Martin was one of two men who were fatally shot late Saturday night/early Sunday morning around 2:19 am at a Sunoco station in Saginaw. Martin died on the scene, while a 22-year-old male died from gunshot wounds after arriving at the hospital. A third shooting victim, a 25-year-old female, also was transported to the hospital and received treatment for non-life threatening injuries to the arm.
Martin made his debut as a freshman with a second-place finishing time of 6.95 in the 60-meter dash at the Grand Valley State University Holiday Open in December.
He also registered two top-five finishes in the 60-meter dash and 200-meter dash at the Simmons-Harvey Invitational at the University of Michigan in January. During his first collegiate long jump, he also took sixth place with a personal best jump of 6.66 meters at the Power Five Invitational, also in Ann Arbor at U of M, earlier this year.
Martin also set a personal record of 21.93 in the 200 meter dash. He also competed on the 4x400 relay team, and in the long jump at the Big Ten Indoor Championships in Geneva, Ohio.
In addition to how own track program, the following programs also added their own condolences:
Tony Martin young your name will forever live on through all of us The entire family, friends, Michigan State T&F, & All of Saginaw will NEVER forget you! A true legend in the making took too early pic.twitter.com/6jIOuQQ8WI
— Blue Chip Training (@BlueChipRance) July 19, 2020
Sending love from Ann Arbor. We are heartbroken for your loss, and our thoughts & condolences go out to Tony's family, friends and teammates, and the whole MSU community.
— Michigan Track & Field / Cross Country (@UMichTrack) July 19, 2020
Sending condolences to Tony’s family and the MSU Track & Field family. So sorry for your lose
— CMU T&F/XC (@CMUtrack) July 20, 2020
We are saddened to hear about this loss. Our deepest sympathies go out to Tony's family and friends along with the MSU Track & Field community.
— EMU Women's T&F/XC (@EMUWXC_TF) July 20, 2020