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Matthew Maton runs No. 3 all-time 1,500 meters at the 2015 Oregon Relays - DyeStat

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DyeStat.com   Apr 18th 2015, 4:44am
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Maton runs 3:42.54 for 1,500 at Oregon Relays

 

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

 

EUGENE, Ore. -- The prospect of running a four-minute mile has suddenly become a very real possibility for Matthew Maton of Bend, Ore.

 

The senior from Summit High School, who abruptly left his high school team earlier this month and is focused on his own training and schedule, ran 3:42.54 for 1,500 meters on Friday night in near-perfect conditions at the Oregon Relays. 

 

Maton finished fourth in a college/pro section that featured former NCAA champion Mac Fleet

 

His time surpasses a Galen Rupp all-time state best in Oregon and is the third-fastest ever run by a high school student -- surpassed only by Alan Webb and Jim Ryun

 

"I was feeling great the last 100 (meters)," Maton said. "Maybe I should havd kept going and kept the watch on."

 

Breaking four minutes, once an unthinkinable goal for Maton, now seems real. 

 

"It would mean everything," Maton said of breaking four minutes. "Coming into high school I didn't think I'd get anywhere close to 4:20 in the mile. I wasn't very good in middle school. I've come up really quick. And to be here now, I've worked hard, but it's still unreal."

 

Sub-four is the Holy Grail of high school running. Only five have ever accomplished that feat and the most recent was Lukas Verzbicas in 2011. 

 

In the spring of 2004, Rupp of Central Catholic ran in a special mile race at the Nike campus to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Rogers Bannister's historic first sub-four. Nike founder Phil Knight greeted Rupp after he crossed the finish line that day. Rupp ran 4:01.8 in his best attempt at the four-minute barrier. But he was also hand-timed at the 1,500 meters mark in 3:45.3. 

 

That time has been significant in the Oregon record books because the state runs the 1,500 and 3,000 distances. 

 

Last fall, Maton bested Rupp's state cross country championships record by 10 seconds on the 5,000-meter course at Lane Community College (14:45).

 

On Friday, in his second race since splitting from his team, Maton said he was hoping to beat his PR (3:49.38). A week ago at Western Oregon he ran an 800 in 1:53.57.

 

"I would have been happy with 48, 47, I kind of felt like I was in 46 shape," Maton said. "Then we came through fast and I thought I might as well go for it."

 

Maton has a few races planned. He'll race at the Oregon Twilight meet on May 8. The Prefontaine Classic high school mile is on the list, as is the the adidas Dream Mile in New York and the Brooks PR Meet in Seattle. He'd like to fit in the June 6 meet in Kodiak, Alaska as well. 

 

Perhaps running on his own and preparing for special high level races will pay off. 

 

"We (typically) had high level workouts three days a week on a Mondo track," Maton said. "Maybe if I take it a little easier (during the week) I can run some really good times. If I could get two good workouts a week and keep my mileage up I think I'll be OK."

 

So far, so good.



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