Matt, a talented distance runner, had a remarkable high school career at York High School in Bensenville, Illinois. During his senior year, he achieved a seventh-place finish in the state championships, following a second-place finish in his junior year and a twentieth-place finish in his sophomore year.
Matt's impressive performances earned him a spot in the 2004 Nike Team Nationals, where he finished fourth, qualifying for the prestigious FootLocker invitation. The following year, he again participated in the Nike Team Nationals, this time finishing twelfth with his team taking second place.
As a state track placer, Matt excelled in the 1,600-meter event, securing an eighth-place finish as a senior and a second-place finish as a junior. Additionally, he was part of a victorious 4x800-meter relay team in his junior year.
In his final year of high school, Matt contributed to his team's winning distance medley relay at the 2006 Nike Outdoor Nationals.
Matt went on to compete at the University of Oregon, representing the school's track and cross-country teams. He achieved personal best times of 3:50.56 in the 1500-meter event and 1:52.19 in the 800-meter event.
After graduating with a degree in Digital Arts, Matt was featured in Matthew Arnold's acclaimed documentary, The Long Green Line, a testament to his remarkable athletic achievements.
