Big man, bigger distance

Moses Lake's Matthews takes 4A discus title

MOSES LAKE — Billy Matthews had to wait awhile for his first trip to the state track and field championships.

Boy, oh boy, was it worth it.

The Moses Lake High School senior made his debut at the 4A Boys Star Track Meet last Friday. In the preliminary round of the discus, Matthews uncorked a personal-record heave of 164 feet, 8 inches. That mark eventually held up — despite close calls from two opponents — to give Matthews the state title.

What was Matthews thinking when he realized the championship was his?

"I didn't think it was for real," he said. "I thought I had to wake up."

A four-year high school competitor in the discus, javelin and shot put, Matthews certainly puts in the hours required of a state champion. After classes, he spends 30-45 minutes on conditioning with a half-mile run and several wind sprints. After that, he throws for an hour or two. He also tries to watch what he eats, though the diet of a 6-foot-5, 270-pound young man can be less stringent than others.

"I pretty much just try to eat right and portion, even though I love food," he said with a smile.

Chiefs throwing coaches John Wagner and Esther Cigando, as well as his dad, Bill Sr., have been guiding forces throughout his prep career. They've all helped him become quicker and more explosive inside the ring, though Matthews' dad has proven especially crucial in one factor — attitude.

"He's been really helping me the last couple months to earn the state title," Matthews said of his dad. "He's always been a motivator to help me get it."

Matthews Sr. said building a positive attitude has been one of his son's biggest improvements during the last four years.

"He worked hard for this," Matthews Sr. said. "It was a dream come true."

It wasn't until his eighth-grade year, however, that Matthews really became interested in track and field. In the spring of 2003, his older sister decided to turn out for the Chiefs' squad and his dad helped former Chief Danny Lawson take fourth place at state in the discus. Matthews was roughly the same size as Lawson, so he figured he'd try throwing too.

Matthews found his niche with the disc, because while he doesn't have the brute strength necessary for the shot, he does have long and powerful arms.

"I've never had a sport where I felt so good about improving," he said. "I like it because it's a sport where you can't blame anyone else for your mistakes."

Matthews credits opponents like Alex Nelson, a senior at Vancouver's Evergreen High School, for making him work hard and stay sharp. Matthews had outdistanced Nelson until last season, when Nelson went 15 feet beyond him.

That forced Matthews to pick up his pace, and he was rewarded for it. Nelson was third at last Friday's meet, just 7 inches behind his rival.

A broken thumb on his right throwing hand kept Matthews out of commission for nearly all of his senior football campaign. When he started throwing indoors in January, Matthews was a bit tentative about his chances come springtime.

"When I started discus I realized I didn't use (the thumb) that much, so the worries went away," he added.

With graduation quickly approaching, Matthews has plotted a new course for himself. He'll head out for a two-year mission with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, possibly to Central or South America. Once that's over, he wants to go to college. His eyes at the moment are on Brigham Young University, Arizona State University or Portland State University.

His long-range goal is even more ambitious. Matthews would like to make a run at qualifying for the 2012 or 2016 Olympics, so keeping fit during his mission is a top priority. That and getting used to being far away from home — he's lived in Moses Lake for all of his 18 years.

"You pretty much walk everywhere or ride a bicycle, so I think I'll be fine staying in shape," he said. "It'll be different but it'll be a fun, new experience at the same time."