MARÍA ARACELY MARTINEZ – Paraguayan Middle-Distance Star and Global Entrepreneur
María Aracely Martinez, known as “Ara,” is a trailblazing Paraguayan athlete who has represented her country with distinction in track and field while simultaneously building an impressive academic and entrepreneurial career. Competing primarily in the 400 meters and 800 meters, she has broken national records, competed at NCAA Division I level in the United States, and emerged as an inspiring voice for aspiring athletes from developing nations.
Athletic Accomplishments:
Martinez’s track and field career is marked by remarkable achievements across multiple distances. In November 2019, she set the Paraguayan Youth National Record in the 400 meters with a time of 60.05 seconds, a mark that established her as one of Paraguay’s most promising young sprinters. Her personal best in the event stands at 58.62 seconds, achieved in August 2022.
Representing the Asunción Athletic Club in Paraguay, Martinez dominated national competitions throughout her youth career. At the 2019 National Youth Championships in Asunción, she set a championship record of 60.86 seconds in the 400 meters. Her versatility was evident in her relay performances, where she helped set impressive marks in the 4×100 meters relay (51.04 seconds) and 4×400 meters relay (4:05.92).
In 2020, Martinez recorded her best 200-meter time of 26.95 seconds at the U20 National Clubs Championship, showcasing her speed across multiple sprint distances. She also demonstrated range by competing in middle-distance events, clocking 2:21.55 in the 800 meters in May 2022 while competing for Wichita State University.
At the international level, Martinez represented Paraguay at the 2021 South American U20 Championships in Lima, Peru, where she competed in both individual events and relays. She contributed to Paraguay setting national records in the 4×100 meters relay (49.83 seconds) and mixed 4×400 meters relay (3:49.51 seconds). More recently, in May 2024, she was part of the Paraguayan team that set a new national record in the mixed 4×400 meters relay with a time of 3:34.79 in Cuiabá, Brazil.
Martinez competed at the NCAA Division I level for Wichita State University in the American Athletic Conference, one of the most competitive conferences in collegiate athletics. As a Shocker, she balanced the demands of competing against top-tier American collegiate athletes while maintaining her academic excellence. She also competed in cross country for Wichita State, expanding her athletic versatility beyond the track.
Education and Academic Excellence:
Martinez graduated from Wichita State University’s prestigious W. Frank Barton School of Business in Fall 2024 with a Bachelor of Business Administration, double majoring in Digital Marketing and International Business. Her academic achievements were exceptional—she was recognized on her high school’s honor roll and graduated ninth grade as the best student in her class in 2017.
At Wichita State, Martinez distinguished herself not only athletically but academically. She was named to the Barton School’s “25 Under 25” Class of 2024, an honor recognizing outstanding young business leaders. She participated in the Barton School’s Global Entrepreneurship Experience in France, where she served as a consultant for the Consortium du Jambon de Bayonne, gaining invaluable international business experience.
Her academic prowess extended to competitive simulations, where she placed third in a globally recognized strategic management simulation and led her team to victory in the Markstrat strategic marketing simulation. She chose Wichita State specifically for its AACSB accreditation—a distinction held by less than 5% of business schools worldwide—and its commitment to applied learning that bridges theory and practice.
Career and Entrepreneurial Ventures:
Martinez is the founder of Nomadic Marago, a travel blog and consulting service designed for culturally curious travelers seeking authentic experiences. The venture combines her passions for travel, cultural exchange, and digital marketing, providing curated travel content and consulting services that help travelers connect with local cultures in meaningful ways.
Her professional experience includes developing and implementing marketing campaigns for prestigious clients including BMW, Crowne Plaza, and ITAU Bank. She specializes in data-driven digital marketing strategy, social media marketing, SEO, lead generation, and market research, bringing a multicultural perspective shaped by her experiences living and working in Paraguay, the United States, and France.
During her time at university, Martinez served as Social Media Manager for the Paraguayan Student Association at Wichita State, where she increased social media engagement by 50% within one year and boosted event attendance by 20% through innovative content strategies. Her work was recognized by both the Study Abroad Committee and the Paraguay-Kansas Committee.
After graduation, Martinez embarked on a remote work career that allows her the freedom to travel while building her business. Her plan includes extensive travel throughout South America and Europe, documenting her experiences and sharing them through Nomadic Marago to inspire others to pursue their dreams.
Leadership and Advocacy:
Martinez served as a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Representative for two years (2022-23 and 2023-24), where she was a passionate advocate for student-athlete mental health and wellness initiatives. She actively participated in planning and implementing awareness campaigns and events, collaborating with committee members to address mental health concerns and promote resources for the university’s 250 student-athletes across 15 sports.
Her commitment to giving back extends beyond campus. She has volunteered with Plantatón, Operation Smile, and Techo (a Latin American organization fighting poverty), and teaches Spanish through cultural exchange activities. She also volunteered at the Prairie Fire Marathon, supporting the running community that has given her so much.
Personal Journey and Inspiration:
Martinez’s story is one of remarkable courage and determination. Moving from Asunción, Paraguay to Wichita, Kansas in 2021 as a first-generation student in the United States presented immense challenges. English is her second language, and she arrived knowing no one in her new country. Rather than being deterred, she embraced the opportunity for growth, pushed herself to connect with people, and transformed what seemed impossible into an experience that shaped her identity.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and Guaraní (Paraguay’s indigenous language), Martinez brings a truly multicultural perspective to everything she does. Her positive outlook and ability to “manifest the life she wants” reflect her adventurous spirit and unwavering optimism. She describes herself as someone committed to being “a super happy person” who contributes positively to others’ lives.
Goals and Vision:
Martinez’s greatest aspiration is to be a professional athlete who inspires others to follow their dreams regardless of how difficult they may seem. She is passionate about creating more opportunities for athletes and people in Paraguay, working to make her country a better place with greater access to education and sports.
Her decision to pursue collegiate athletics in the United States stemmed from the limited opportunities in Paraguay to combine university education with high-level athletic competition. She recognized that competing in college would allow her to grow both academically and athletically, meet people from around the world, and share Paraguayan culture while learning about others.
Legacy and Impact:
María Aracely Martinez represents the new generation of global athlete-entrepreneurs who refuse to be limited by geography or circumstance. Her achievements demonstrate that with determination, adaptability, and a positive mindset, it’s possible to excel in multiple arenas simultaneously—as an elite athlete, honors student, business professional, and cultural ambassador.
Her journey from setting national records in Paraguay to competing in NCAA Division I athletics while earning business honors and launching an entrepreneurial venture serves as an inspiration to young athletes throughout Latin America. She embodies resilience, leadership, and the power of embracing challenges as opportunities for growth, proving that dreams are achievable when met with courage and dedication.
Go Aracely!
