Matthew Maton and Lauren Gregory: NSAF Emerging Elites of the Week
This is the fourth Fall 2013 edition of our new NSAF weekly feature on nationalscholastic.org: the Emerging Elites of the Week. The New Balance Nationals Indoor and Outdoor meets have become known for the ever-expanding and improving competition in the divisions of the same name. Similarly, the NSAF seeks to give weekly recognition to track and field and cross-country athletes reaching new and exciting competitive levels with their recent performances.
Male – Matthew Maton, Summit HS Class of 2015, Bend OR
1st, 15:57.99 (5k), Nike Pre-Nationals, Portland Meadows, OR
Some are calling him the best runner in Oregon since Galen Rupp and Kenny Klotz. It’s easy to see why. As a soph, Summit’s Matthew Maton was 2nd at the 5A state meet and went on to qualify for the NXN Finals, finishing 55th after qualifying 9th out of the torrid Northwest. Then in track, he had a tremendous 8:28.62 3k/3:55.12 1,500 double to sweep the 5A events and also added a 4:11.09 mile PR and good experience at the USATF Juniors in the 1,500.
This fall, he’s quickly established himself on the short list of runners to beat in the region with a 14:57 5k on a fast Saxon Invite course, followed by a 15:57.99 Nike Pre-Nats win over Elijah Armstrong and other standouts on a nasty day at Portland Meadows. Further progress looks very good under Summit mentor Carol McLatchie, a top USATF coach and former world-class marathoner.
A few thoughts from Matthew:
On his summer training and the start of your season with the fast race at the Saxon Invite: Summer training started a little late for me this year because of USATF Juniors ... Saxon was my first serious race and I was really happy with how I ran there. I think our first mile was 5:07, so we closed the last 2.1 pretty quickly.
On how the Pre-Nats race unfolded. Did he come in thinking he could win, or was he kind of surprised by it: The week before Pre-Nats, I got pretty sick and had to miss a race which made me nervous of how I would do there. Coming into it, I knew I had a chance to win it, but I knew it would be close. I was not expecting that much wind and mud.
On how he felt about his outstanding PRs last spring in the 3k and the mile, and how was his subsequent training this summer: I was really happy with my times this spring. I really didn't think I would run that fast this year. My training this summer was pretty tough, just trying to build up a good base for this year
On his team, Coach McLatchie and what his ultimate goals are this fall, both teamwise and individually: Our team is looking pretty good this year and we should probably win state again. Coach McLatchie is a really nice coach to have. She is very serious when it comes to training and really wants everyone on the team to get better.
Female – Lauren Gregory, Fort Collins HS Class of 2017, Fort Collins CO
1st, 17:45 (5k), Brooks/TCA Titan Thunder Invite, Fountain Creek, Fountain CO
Making the transition from being a Youth star at the J.O. and middle school levels to having success at the prep ranks is never easy. It’s especially hard when you’re a girl in Colorado entering a 2013 season that is one of the best-ever in terms of top individuals. Three young giants of the sport – Elise Cranny, Jordyn Colter and Katie Rainsberger – loom large this fall as some of the very best in state history. But look at what Fort Collins frosh Lauren Gregory has done.
After taking a distant second behind Colter and Rainsberger in early-season races, Gregory showed big progress for the highly ranked Lambkins of Coach Chris Suppes by finishing just three seconds behind Colter in the Sept. 20 John Martin Invite. Then a week later at the Titan Thunder Invite, she surprised by handing Rainsberger her first XC defeat since last fall with a 17:45 win. It looks like maybe there’s a “Big Four” now in Colorado!
A few thoughts from Lauren:
On what made a difference in winning the Titan Thunder race after previous runner-up finishes: There really wasn’t anything too different from this race and the rest. I've tried my hardest in all the races, but this I guess it was just my day to win one on Saturday. Even though I beat (Katie Rainsberger) on Saturday, I will never think that I am better than her, because she is an amazing runner and could put up a great race on any given day.
On what it’s been like finally starting her prep career after so much success at the Youth level: It has been so much fun! The team is so cool and I love them all. The meets have been so intense and exciting. So far I’ve had an all-around great experience and I’m loving every minute of it.
On how her goals for herself and her team for this fall have evolved: Our team goals haven’t really changed very much, they mostly just became more realistic and achievable. I’ve had to reassess my personal goals quite a bit, because I didn’t expect the season so far to go this well.
Photos from Gary Paulson, garypaulson.net (Maton) and Fort Collins site (Gregory).
