To say that sprinter Emmanuel
Matadi is well traveled would be an understatement.
Minnesota State’s national champion has had an interesting
journey that will culminate in August, as he becomes the first Maverick to
compete in the Summer Olympics. Matadi, native of Liberia (a country located on
the west African coast), will compete in the 100-meter dash event after setting
a Liberian record with a time of 10.14.
Nina Tikkinen, Emila Andersson and David Backes, are former Maverick
student-athletes who have competed in the Winter Olympics. Tikkinen was a
member of the Finnish women’s hockey team in the 2010 Winter Olympics in
Vancouver, while Andersson played with the Swedish women’s hockey team at the
2010 in Vancouver and 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Backes, the former captain
of the St. Louis Blues, represented Team USA in the 2010 and 2014 Winter
Olympics, as well.
Matadi, who moved to Minnesota in sixth grade, has seen
success at every level, beginning with a Minnesota state high school
championship in the 100m in 2009 at St. Paul Johnson High School. From there,
he would go on to claim junior college All-American honors as he competed in
the 4x100m and 4x400 relay events in 2011 at the national championship as a
member of the track & field teams at Butler (Kan.) Community College.
After a stint at Louisville, Emmanuel made his way to
Minnesota State for the 2014-15 season where he rewrote the Maverick record
books. In one season Matadi set a pair of indoor records (60m/6.66 & 200m/21.10),
to go along with outdoor records in the 100m (10.19) and the 4x100 relay
(40.15). His season culminated in a pair of NCAA Division II outdoor track
& field championships in the 100m and 200m events.
He’s now preparing to head to Rio de Janeiro where he’ll
compete against the best sprinters in the world.
Ten Questions with
Emmanuel Matadi
How
did you arrive at Minnesota State?
I was a transfer from Louisville. One of my
best friends - Jared Gillespie - convinced me to take a tour of the school and
I really was impressed with Coach Dilling and Coach Parno.
What
was it like competing with the Mavericks during the 2014-15 season?
If was fun. It was probably the most fun I’ve
had in a season. Everyone was so focused and I think that was what helped me
win nationals. The team and the coaches were so supportive.
What
are some of your highlights as a Maverick?
Breaking the school record and winning
nationals in the 100 and 200. Winning conference championships.
How
long have you competed in track and field events?
Since my junior year in high school so
probably around 16. I was always a sprinter.
Tell
us about your connection to Liberia?
I was born in Liberia and my whole family is
from Liberia. I came over to the US when I was seven. I lived in California for
a few years before moving to Minnesota when I was in sixth grade.
What
was it like to qualify for the Olympics after setting a new record for Liberia
in the 100m?
It was a great feeling. I have been training
for so long to get that moment so when it happened it was great.
Has
reaching the Olympics always been one of your goals since day one or did this
come about as you continued to improve?
When I realized how much I was progressing that‘s
when it became more of a goal. When I got to college it became a real goal
What
are you most looking forward to in Rio?
The high-level talent and the competing with
the world’s best athletes.
Who
has been your biggest inspiration and why?
My parents (Jacob and Florence). They showed
me how to work hard. When they came over to the states they had nothing but
they worked hard and I learned from their work ethic.
What
are your plans after the Olympics conclude?
After the season is over I’ll take a break
but I’ll get back to training for the world championships next season and then
hopefully get back to the Olympics in 2020.
