“No middle-distance/distance guy in the country closed out this spring with more momentum than Matsatsa. Principally a regional standout entering the national postseason, he rocked to national prominence at top-caliber meets. The end result? Only one athlete in U.S. prep history ranks among the Top 8 all-time at both 800 and the mile, and it’s Matsatsa!”

Rich Gonzalez

editor of PrepCalTrack.com

Athletic Excellence

The 5-foot-9, 135-pound senior became just the 20th runner in prep history to break the 4-minute mile threshold this past season. Matsatsa set a state record at the HOKA Festival of Miles, snapping the tape in 3:58.70, which ranked No. 3 nationally among prep competitors in 2023. Less than two weeks later, he won the 800-meter run at the Brooks PR Invitational, then capped his dream season four days afterwards by winning the national title in the event at New Balance Nationals Outdoor with a state-record and 2023 No. 1 national time of 1:47.61.

Academic Achievement

Matsatsa has maintained a B average in the classroom. He has signed a National Letter of Intent to compete on scholarship at Georgetown University this fall.

Exemplary Character

Matsatsa has volunteered locally helping the unhoused and underprivileged on behalf of Shepard’s Table, an organization committed to improving quality of life, creating a pathway toward self-sufficiency and inspiring hope for the most vulnerable in the surrounding community. He’s also a devoted parishioner at the Christian Life Center near Frederick, Md., serving as an active member of the youth group there.