In one of the best individual performances nation-wide during the 2019 season, Evan Matthews picked up the 300 hurdles victory at Region 3 in a US No. 1 time of 36.12.
Not only was Matthews' mark the country's fastest at the time it was achieved (May 24th), but it held for the duration of the outdoor campaign.
Matthews would carry on the momentum that he established during the regional round of the playoffs all the way through the Ohio State Championship and the Midwest Meet of Champions, where he collected 1st place finishes with 36.88 and 37.59 marks, respectively.
Now a member of the Ohio State Buckeyes, Matthews reflected on what would go down as his personal best time at Pickerington North during Region 3 competition.
"Leading up to the race, I knew I had a chance to drop a serious time and once the postseason came around, I had the goal in mind of breaking the state record."
"During the race, I shot out of the blocks very fast and I knew as long as I kept a solid step pattern it'd be a low 36 performance."
"Through the first six hurdles I hit a 13-step pattern and could feel myself pulling away - it felt like clockwork with my steps. Coming down the final stretch, I just dug as deep as I could and ran through the line."
"Afterward, I saw the time knowing I set a US No. 1 mark. I hold myself to very high standards, though, so knowing I was very close to the state record I felt a sense of disappointment, but it just left me with more drive to go and attack the track for a faster time the next time around."
Note: 300H state record belongs to Donovan Robertson / Berea-Midpark -- 35.96 (2012)
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