Widener Student Athlete Crowned National Triple Jump Champion
It was his final attempt and, most significantly, the one that would crown him national champion.
Widener track and field student-athlete Matayo McGraw ’27 won the triple jump at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Geneva, Ohio over Memorial Day weekend.
His 15.32-meter jump was enough to top the field of 20 competitors and secure the title of best in the nation.
The electrical engineering major and All-American is the first Widener student athlete to win a national title since Alex Kristeller won the weight throw at the 2022 DIII Indoor Track and Field Championships.
McGraw also recently picked up the Field Men’s Athlete of the Year award from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association for the Metro Region.
We caught up with McGraw to find out how it feels to be a national champion, and what it takes to get there. (*Hint: lots of practice)
Congratulations on this amazing accomplishment! What were you thinking going into the competition?
Thank you. I was just thinking of keeping a level head throughout the competition, no matter what was happening – whether I wasn't winning or if I was jumping bad. And just focusing on what I could do better for my next jumps.
How and when did you get involved in track and field, and how did you get into jumps? How long have you been competing in the triple jump specifically?
Funny enough, I was convinced by some friends to try out for the team my junior year of high school. And I got into jumps because my team was figuring out events for people and the day tryouts for jumps came around, I tried them all out and that's just kind of where I landed, along with hurdles at the time. I've been doing triple jump from the start, so about four years.
As its name suggests, the triple jump involves three components – the hop, the step, and the jump. What is it about this jump that appeals to you?
Triple jump is my best event, so I would say that's why it appeals to me more than anything else. But it's also more complicated than most events. Having three different jumps within one, I feel is more fun to do than just jumping one time or just running… no offense to any other events, of course.
Describe your training process. How often do you practice?
I train five days a week. I'm either doing speed work, or I have jump days, which consist of drills my coach gives.
Speaking of your coaches, what role did they play in your accomplishment?
My coaches played an important role because without them I don't have the training that's provided to me, and I don't have people critiquing things that need to be critiqued in my performance.
What brought you to Widener?
I came to Widener because I heard they had a good engineering program, and I wanted to go somewhere I had the best chance to come out of school and have a well-paying job.
How did you celebrate your win?
Driving six-and-a-half hours back to school from Ohio! But in the moment, I went over and embraced my family.
You won a national championship in only the second year of your collegiate career. Where do you go from here?
Winning as many more national titles as I can, honestly.
