Sam Mattis Wins Penn Relays

is a Champion of America after winning the Penn Relays last week for discus.

“It really feels great, I’ve been so close and it feel like I really accomplished something,” said the East Brunswick High School senior. “I finally did what I set out to do.”

Sam took first place at the tournament with a throw of 211 feet and 11 inches. The next closest throw was 193 feet and 4 inches. For Sam, the victory was the fulfillment of a goal that he’d set after placing second in the competition for the past three years.

But that doesn’t mean he is content to rest on his laurels. With four meets to go in the high school season, the Sam is eyeing the state record of 216 feet

“I have to train harder and improve as much as I can, but whatever I throw I’ll be happy because it’ll be my best,” said Mattis, who recently signed a letter of acceptance to Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, the same place he threw last week.

While he may not be thinking of it, his coach Kevin McEvoy hopes that one day Sam will be able to throw in the Olympics. But Sam is doubtful that that will be this year.

“There’s a slim chance, but I’ll need to find a meet to qualify at, and unless I get really, really good, then I probably won’t,” he said.

Some of Sam Mattis' amateur accomplishments according to NJRunners.com.

* 2011 NATIONAL CHAMPION - ALL AMERICAN.
* 2011 TRACK & FIELD NEWS - ALL AMERICAN.
* 2011 USA TODAY All-USA high school track and field team
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* NJ State Junior Discus Record holder: 207'2". *
* NJ State Sophomore Discus Record holder: 197'3".*
* NJ State Frosh Discus Record holder: 169'6". *
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* 2012 PENN RELAYS CHAMPION - MEET AMERICAN RECORD 211'11"
* 2011 New Jersey Meet Of Champions State Discus champion.
* 2011 Penn Relays American Record holder, HS Boys.
* 2011 World Youth Leader, Discus.
* 2011 #2 HS discus thrower nationally.
* 2011 Middlesex county record holder.
* 2011 GMC Champion Discus and Shot-put
* 2010 New Balance Outdoor Nationals All American.
* 2010 NJ State State Discus Champion.
* 2010 NJ GMC, Sectionals and Groups Champion.
* 2010 Penn Relays 2nd place and top American finisher.
* 2010 #1 Sophomore in the US.
* 2010 #9 Nationally
* 2010 Home News Tribune Track Athlete of the Year.
* 2009 #3 Freshman Discus National Ranking.
* 2009 East Brunswick, NJ Varsity records, Discus/Shot Put.
* 2008 8th Grade Middlesex County Discus champion. Specialty: Discus and Shot Put