East Brunswick High School’s Sam Mattis added the New Balance Outdoor Nationals title in the discus throw to the NJSIAA Meet of Champions crown he won earlier this month. During the season, the Bear thrower pushed the junior class state record out to 207-1. SCOTT FRIEDMAN Fast forward 10 years and consider what Sam Mattis may be doing with his life.
Having won the national championship in the discus as a high school junior, the East Brunswick native could be competing for an Olympic medal. Or, Mattis may very well be a rising star in the business world, leveraging an Ivy League degree in economics or business.
Whatever path Sam Mattis chooses to follow, there is little doubt he will find gold at the end of the road. Entering his senior year at EBHS, Mattis is the latest and greatest student athlete to excel in the classroom and on the field.
“Having taught and coached Sam,” says winter track coach, Kevin McEvoy, “he has the academic ability to understand complex and critical questions which will likely lead him to destinations I can’t even imagine. Rarely have I encountered an individual who combines respect, values and commitment to self with outstanding athletic ability.”
The list of what Mattis has done in his young life belongs in a chronicle of Outstanding Americans. In addition to winning the discus title, Mattis established a state junior class record of 207-1 and captured the gold medal at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions on June 4. He previously set state records as a sophomore (197-3) and freshman (169-6).
“I feel like I’ve achieved most of what I set out to do my junior year in the discus,” Mattis said. “I improved my best mark from a year ago and set the junior state record. Perhaps I could have thrown further, but I’m not looking back. I trained harder than I ever have before.”
That’s on the athletic field. He’s also a champion in the classroom. Last semester, Mattis aced four Advanced Placement two Honors classes bring his grade average to 4.67.
Off the field, plays bass piano in the school chamber and squeezed in time help physically mentally children and young adults in the local Buddy Ball program on Saturday mornings in the late fall and early spring.
How Mattis determined he would become a discus hurler (he is also an accomplished shot putter) is a result of genetics and recognizing his strengths. His father, a native of Jamaica, threw the hammer at the College of William and Mary and encouraged Sam to pursue the weight events.
“Before track, I played football and basketball for the township’s recreation teams,” says Mattis. “I was never great at either but enjoyed both. When I joined the track team in high school, I ran and jumped but wasn’t exactly cut out to excel in those sports either.”
Mattis discovered his niche was throwing, especially discus.
“I really enjoyed the throws and the effort it took,” he says. “I realized it required my total commitment and I’ve dedicated myself towards getting better.”
With his senior year in front of him, Mattis reflects on what he is most proud of in his track career.
“My favorite moment would be standing on the podium at Franklin Field during the Penn Relays,” he said, “and getting my silver medal from (comedian and native of Philadelphia] Bill Cosby. I was the top American to win a medal and that made me feel all the hard work I put in was worth it.”
Mattis anticipates what he can achieve next winter and spring but is also focused on deciding where he goes to college.
“My top choices are schools in the Ivy League,” he said without specifying one. “Academics are a major part of my life and I believe in the student-athlete rather than just the athlete. If I’m fortunate to go to one of [Ivy League] them, I’d like to purse a degree in economics and maybe go into business when my track career is over.” Mattis describes himself as “an interesting mix” between his Jamaican father and Jewish mother from Brooklyn. His parents settled in East Brunswick when he was year old.
“My Dad met my mother when he was throwing the hammer in [at the The College of William and Mary],” Sam said. “He me throwing and that has helped me achieve what I have. I’m also fortunate to have spring track coach, [Dave Hagan] who experienced with weights and has helped me focus on what I can still achieve.”
What will Sam Mattis accomplish next year and, more important, what will he doing 10 years from now?
Mattis might establish a high school record for the discus or become a recognized name in the business world. He could also be the next ………..