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Looking to get her kicks this entire season or stopping shots on goal at her goalie position didn’t happen due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Richmond Hill High School senior goalie Isabella (Belle) Martinez was not that upset the season ended shorter than normal, because she and her teammates made the best of the situation. Martinez said, “Our season got cancelled, but we made the best of the situation! We still had zoom workouts with our coach and got to see each other, even if it was through a computer!” This must have been tough for Belle, who has been playing soccer since she was 4 because she watched her brother play a lot. She looked up to him and wanted to play just like him.

Belle feels she has been successful throughout her career because of the surrounding people. Martinez gives credit to her family, coaches, and teammates who were so amazing and so supportive of her in every endeavor of her life. Belle’s mom was a major supporter, Marinez said, “My mom has always been there for me, and I am so grateful for her.” Belle also feels blessed. Martinez stated, “I feel so blessed surrounded by such supportive people who have my best interest in mind.”

Belle looked up to others. Martinez gives a lot of credit to her Savannah United, Coach Ciara Thomas. She has known coach Thomas for quite a few years. Belle stated, “She has helped me so much on and off the field. She has always been there for me no matter what and I am so grateful for her. I do not know where I would be without her.”

Being supported has been an enormous part of Belle’s career, as we can see. Her coaches and teammates noticed her leadership skills and chose her as team captain. Martinez besides being captain for the Richmond Hill High School team this year also captained her travel teams, Savannah United 01 girls, and the Jacksonville Armada 01 girls ECNL team. 

Savannah United Coach Ciara Thomas had a lot of praise for Belle. Thomas said, “When I started assisting with the team a few years ago. I wasn’t sure what Belle had in mind as far as what soccer meant to her or where she wanted it to carry her. All I knew from her coach at the time was that she was a gangly kid who played in goal and had potential but needed help. Being a goalkeeper is like no other position on the field. Being fearless, focused, and determined that you will make every save. I learned quickly that Belle wanted to be great, and she never wanted to let her teammates down. She carried the weight of the team on her shoulders. I think it took her about a month into the season to ask me what she needed to get better and how she could do it. Ever since that moment a few years ago, I’ve seen an exceptional kid, working harder than most on and off the field. Over the years she has become so determined to be her best, adding extra trainings to her already full schedule. Belle took part in so many extra-curricular school activities representing RHHS, that sometimes I worried it would be too much for her to handle while also maintaining training at a top level, but it never stopped her. Leading by example on and off the field, Belle became the fearless leader her teammates needed. She learned to believe in herself, and she has achieved her dream of playing D1 soccer. But it didn’t come without a little blood, sweat, and tears. She has put in the work, and she deserves it! As a coach, I am most proud of who she has become and I am so excited to see what she does both as a Mercer Bears but also just in life. She exemplifies everything in a player and person you want representing your team.” 

Academically Belle was the 2019 Heisman High School Scholarship School winner from Richmond Hill High School. They award the Heisman Memorial Trophy to the most outstanding college football player in the nation. The Heisman High School Scholarship extends the Heisman prestige to our nation’s most esteemed high school seniors by recognizing and rewarding outstanding scholar-athletes who understand that the most important victories not only happen on the field, but in their schools and communities. These remarkable student athlete leaders set the example and make a game-changing difference every day, paving the way to greatness for everyone around them. You can say Belle fits that description. 

Martinez signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her academic and soccer career at Mercer University back in November 2019. Belle plans to major in pre-law and public policy.