Eagles Spotlight: Quill Martin '20

Quill Martin’ 20, has lived in Rabun County all his life, and this is his 5th year attending Rabun Gap. The captain of the wrestling team, he currently holds the number one record for all varsity wrestlers this season after winning back-to-back individual CAA Conference titles and finishing sixth at State last season. He shows exemplary behavior on the wrestling mat and in the classroom. Quill has been a part of the wrestling program for five years and is also a mountain bike racer in his free time. Quill is known for his aggressive style on the mat and his demand for a solid effort from his training partners. The Martin family is well represented here; Quill also has his three younger sisters, Sadie ‘21, Brooksie ‘23, Noelle ‘25, as fellow students at Rabun Gap.

 

How did you end up at Rabun Gap? I grew up in Rabun County my whole life and I went to the public school here. Once I learned more about Rabun Gap, I decided I wanted a change. I was looking for more opportunities and making new friends.

 

What is your personal philosophy? Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. I feel like having a good work ethic is better than talent.  

 

At what age did you start with wrestling and what role does it fulfill in your life? I started wrestling for Rabun Gap in the 6th grade. Before Rabun Gap, I wrestled for about three years with Rabun County's youth wrestling program. Wrestling plays a massive role in my life. It's an outlet for anger and stress. It helps me get through the day. After school, or just after a day of being inside, I have to go do something active, and wrestling is that one thing. It keeps me in shape and in a good mood.

 

What do you like to do in your free time? I actually like cycling. I like road cycling and mountain biking.  

 

What would you do with $1000 in four hours? I would save the money and use it towards something big, or I would use the money on new and better bike parts.

 

What classes do you love here and why? I love AutoCAD because it gives me the chance to build and/or make whatever I want. I also love Chemistry.  It's a very interesting class and I love learning more about science.
 

Describe your favorite teacher? What types of things do you do in that class? My favorite teacher is Mr. Zannou. I love the guy. He really shows emotion when he teaches and gives a lot of effort to help the students struggling in his Spanish classes.

 

What are your greatest talents? I'm pretty good at cycling. I placed 6th in the entire state of Georgia last fall. I also like building things and making thing with my hands. I like woodworking.

 

What does success in the classroom mean to you? I feel like truly understanding the material is success in the classroom.  

What motivates and inspires you? Having personal success is a big motivator for me. Watching other teammates have success inspires me to do greater. However, the Marines inspire me a lot because it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to be a Marine.

 

What are your best habits as a thinker? I tend to think of things in parts, then later I will put them together to look at the bigger picture.

What are your plans after high school? I would love to be in a branch of the US military, preferably in the Marines. If I decide to go college, I would love to go to a northern college like Penn State or Ohio State for wrestling.