DEKALB, Ill. -- Lorena Martin, who competed for the Northern Illinois University women's track and field team from 2014-18, will represent her native Spain at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. 

Martin has qualified for the World Championships in the 800-meter run, which begins with the first round on Wednesday, Aug. 23. The semifinals in the 800 meters are scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 26 with the final slated for the last session of the championships on Sunday, Aug. 27. 

"I'm very excited to compete representing Team Spain in such an important event for track and field," said Martin. "It has been an incredible ride in this sport, and this is the experience of a lifetime. I'm very grateful for the opportunity I had as an athlete at NIU because it made me better and it's a pleasure to represent the Huskies at a professional level."

In July, Martin ran a career best time of 2:00.39 in the 800 meters at the Meeting de Madrid, where she finished sixth. Martin finished third at the Spanish Championships in June, running a time of 2:01.73. As a Huskie, Martin won the 800 meters at the Mid-American Conference Outdoor Championships and qualified for the NCAA Preliminary Round that same season. 

"Lorena Martin has always been a determined and hardworking athlete," said NIU Director of Track and Field Connie Teaberry. "It is no surprise to me that she has stayed devoted to her desires to become an elite runner and is now representing her country and NIU as an Alum at the 2023 Outdoor Track and World Championships in the 800 meters. 

"I am beyond proud of Lorena, and I can attest to the sacrifices and mental training through practices and injuries that it takes to eventually make a team. Lorena making this World Championship team is equivalent to making the Olympic team in an off year. I cannot wait to be cheering for Lorena's success!"

In addition to representing the United States in the high jump at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Teaberry also competed in the 1993 World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, and the 1995 World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden. 
 
The 2023 World Athletics Championships get underway on Saturday, Aug. 19, and will be shown live on NBC, CNBC, USA Network and Peacock.