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PREP ATHLETICS: Marshall’s Zach Matzner signs National Letter of Intent to compete in cross country, track and field at the University of Sioux Falls

Photo by Sam Thiel Marshall’s Zach Matzner poses for a photo with his family after signing his National Letter of Intent on Thursday to compete in cross country and track and field at the University of Sioux Falls.

MARSHALL — With a quick scribble of the pen, Zach Matzner’s next step to his athletic career was complete. The Marshall senior signed his National Letter of Intent on Thursday to compete in cross country and track and field at the University of Sioux Falls.

Matzner said it’s a nice feeling to finally see this day come and make his decision.

“It’s great,” Matzner said. “I’ve been waiting for this moment ever since I decided I wanted to run in college and it just feels good to get it done and now I don’t have to worry about what college I want to go to.”

Matzner said when he visited Sioux Falls’ campus and talked with their cross country and track and field programs, he felt right at home.

“I love the sport and I sat down with my parents and we just talked about potential colleges we could visit and look at. I got in touch with the cross country coach and track coach [Doug Petersen] at USF and it just kind of seemed like a good fit,” Matzner said. “I’ve heard nothing but good things about the town, the school and the program and I just feel like I can make a difference there and I’m really excited.”

Matzner has been a key contributor to the Tigers’ success on the course and track throughout his time at MHS. He attributed that to the impact that his coaches and teammates have had on him.

“It’s been great. They’re the ones that have helped me get to the next level of hard work and showed me what it takes to compete and how I can be the best person I can be,” Matzner said. “[My teammates] always keep me motivated and they are people I can work with during the offseason and in the season and they always push me to do my best.”

Next year, Matzner will join a USF team that is coming off a fall season where the Cougars placed in the Top 6 in their meets, including a third-place finish at the NSIC Championships and a fifth-place finish at the NCAA D-II Central Region Championships. USF also placed 23rd in the NCAA D-II Championships.

Before he heads to Sioux Falls, though, Matzner still has one spring on the track with the Tigers. He said he’s looking forward to running with his teammates once more and hopefully making a repeat trip to state in multiple events.

“I’m excited to run with my teammates, hopefully we can get the 4×800 back to state and maybe make it to state in a couple other events and also have a long and healthy season,” Matzner said.

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