By Rick Morwick
Gavin Matheson is a two-sport standout who has been part of a state football championship and a key contributor on one of the IHSAA’s top track and field programs.
Now, as he prepares for the final season of his four-year high school career, the Center Grove senior plans to make a run at team and individual state titles as a leader on the Trojans’ track and field team.
A versatile athletes who specializes in several events, Matheson is confident of contending for individual state titles as well as a team crown. His goal as senior is to lead the Trojans’ charge.
“(I am going) to try to and push them to be their best and all work together to have a great season,” said Matheson, a state meet veteran who is looking to advance in multiple events.
Matheson has competed in the state meet as a member of the Trojans’ 400- and 1,600-meter relays. This year, he plans to go back in both relays and qualify in one or more individual events.
His best individual races are the 200- and 400-meter dashes.
“I want to make it back to state in either an individual event or relay,” Matheson said. “I want to make it to state in as many events as possible and for everyone to push everyone to get better.”
Besides track, Matheson also excels in football.
Although he was not part of the varsity team his freshman season, Matheson was in the Trojans’ football program when they won the Class 6A state championship. He was a sophomore on the varsity team that finished runner-up his sophomore year.
Last fall, Matheson – a running back – was the third-leading rusher for the regional champion Trojans. Their season ended with a narrow 27-20 semi-state loss against eventual state champion Warren Central.
Matheson, who also was one of the top blockers out of the backfield, rushed for 373 yards last season for the Trojans, who stumbled to a 2-3 start but finished with a 9-4 record. They took a seven-game win streak into semi-state.
Matheson has also experienced lofty postseason team success in track. The Trojans finished fourth and fifth, respectively, at the state meet his freshman and sophomore seasons.
Although Matheson enjoys playing football, he declares track – for a variety of reasons – his favorite sport.
“I enjoy my teammates and the competition,” said Matheson, who regards the 200-meter dash his best overall event. “The training that you have to put in before competitions to be successful (is a challenge).”
Matheson plans to attend college but is still sorting his options. Wherever he enrolls, he plans to major in business management.
THE MATHESON FILE
NAME:
Gavin Matheson
SPORTS:
Track and field, football
YEAR:
Senior
AGE: 18
VARSITY EXPERIENCE:
Four years in track, three years in football
BEST INDIVIDUAL EVENTS:
200- and 400-meter dashes
BEST RELAYS:
400 and 1,600 meters
HOBBIES/INTERESTS:
Fishing
FAVORITE TV SHOW:
Game of Thrones
FAVORITE MOVIE:
The Empire Strikes Back
COLLEGE PLANS:
Undecided, but wants to study business management
PARENTS:
Brian and Shelley Matheson