Matt Zacharias

Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Goodfield, Ill.
Squadron:
26 Barons
High School:
Normal University

JUNIOR YEAR | 2020: Did not compete during the pandemic-shortened season…academic all-conference selection.

SOPHOMORE YEAR | 2019: Raced in two competitions...recorded a career-best 8K time of 25:00.2 to finish eighth out of 127 runners at the UCCS Open...was the No. 2 runner on the Air Force team that finished fourth at the Woody Greeno/Jay Dirksen Invitational...clocked a time of 25:38.0 to finish 28th out of 237 runners at that meet.

FRESHMAN YEAR | 2018: Competed in three meets...clocked a 5K time of 17:11.0 in collegiate debut at the Wyoming Invitational (65th)...earned a top-10 finish in the Blake Race at the Fort Hays State Tiger Open...posted a career-best 8K time of 26:01.6 to finish ninth out 175 runners at that meet...added an 8K mark of 26:49.5 at the Woody Greeno/Jay Dirksen Invitational (65th)...academic all-conference selection.

HIGH SCHOOL: Normal University High School...four-year varsity letterwinner...seven-time state qualifier (team and individual)...member of teams that collected four state trophies...earned all-state honors after finishing fourth in the 1600-meter run (4:20.24) at the Illinois 2A meet...named Illinois State Scholar...AP Scholar, with Distinction.

PERSONAL: Full name is Matthew Joseph Zacharias...goes by Matt...nickname is “Squidward”...son of Joseph and Amy Zacharias...has three younger siblings (two sisters, one brother)...majoring in cyber science...future plans include working in the cyber operations field...named to the Dean’s List and Athletic Director’s List...hobbies include watching and quoting The Office with AJ, listening to Jeb talk about life in Arkansas and arguing with Pony over his true residence…completed a Cadet Summer Research Project (CSRP) in Washington D.C., over the summer...member of Cadet Squadron 26.