Eagle Extra: Trey Mathews, Men's Track and Field

By: Rose Lucidi  
Sports Information Intern
lucidrx10@juniata.edu •
juniatasports.net

HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Trey Mathews (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg Area), a sophomore on the Juniata College track and field team, has a bright future ahead of him both on and off the track. He specializes in both the long and triple jump and embodies the image of a true student-athlete by achieving Dean's list all three semesters.

Mathews grew up only 30 minutes from Huntingdon, but was unaware of Juniata College until his sister joined the student body in 2006. He learned about life at Juniata as well as the science department on campus through his sister's experiences studying chemistry.  After learning about the 13:1 student to teacher ratio, Mathews decided that Juniata was the place for him.

"Juniata was a perfect fit for me," said Mathews. "I like to get to know my professors on a personal level, which I think enhances learning."

Academics have always come first for Mathews. Only a sophomore, he has high hopes of going to graduate school and then becoming a surgeon.

Mathews places great importance on the ability to balance having a social life, athletics, and studying. He is a member of the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), and the Chemistry club. He is already doing research, and is an organic chemistry tutor, as well as a Resident Assistant (RA) in one of the residence halls.

"The skills I have learned [while being an RA] will be beneficial for the rest of my life said Mathews. He enjoys being the one to ease the worries of the freshmen and finds the position rewarding. "It was a good decision to become an RA and I am glad I did it."

With the academic support of Dr. John Unger of the Chemistry department, Mathews has been able to conduct research over the past two semesters.

"My research is dealing with the separation of racemic mixtures and focusing on creating enantiopure compounds," said Mathews. "Basically compounds can be either right or left handed. So I am working on trying to favor one of those hands."

He is also involved with the off-campus organization Science in Motion, which is an outreach education program that provides hands-on activates through experiments and demonstrations. Mathews is responsible for preparing the labs and equipment for use before they are shipped to the local high school.

With the demanding workload of studying biology, chemistry, and mathematics and a long list of extra curricular activities, Mathews has very little time for himself. When he does find free time he enjoys socializing with his friends, playing racquetball, bowling, and relaxing by watching some of his favorite TV shows which include, The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Community.

"I have been bowling for 14 years," said Mathews. "I am still trying to find the time in my schedule to join a nightly bowling league."

 Dedicated to his academics, being an NCAA Division III student-athlete has helped Mathews balance everything that he wants to do and still be happy competing.

"Academics come first for me and everything else second," said Mathews. "Juniata helps all of that come together and that is what makes me, me."

Rapid Fire:

Favorite band/artist?

Imagine dragons.

Favorite shoes?

Nikes.

Favorite item in your dorm room?

Roommate's TV.

One thing you couldn't go a day without?

Food.

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Albert Einstein, because no one believed him at the start. Everyone thought he was mentally challenged but he continued to make breakthroughs within physics and prove people wrong.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Australia. I would love to see kangaroos in the wild and be able to surf down there.

If you could be any animal (car, vegetable, etc.), what would you be and why?

Kangaroo because I jump and I just cant get enough of jumping.

If you could be an Olympic athlete (in anything other than your sport) what would it be?

Basketball. I think being able to be coordinated and be able to do all those moves and score a lot of points would be really cool.

Favorite class at JC?

Organic chemistry. I fell in love with it. I know a lot of people hate it but I love it.

Favorite place in Huntingdon?

The cliffs. I like nature and hikes and the cliffs is a combo of both.

Favorite Juniata tradition?

Mountain day.

Favorite athletic experience at JC?

It would have to be my first track meet I ever ran in college. The first indoor meet was at WVU and we traveled there and the experience was awesome. To add onto that great experience Justin Herr who is a jumper as well, went to triple jump and clipped the end of the pit and fell face first into the sand. This experience was both funny and relaxing. It made me realize that I was going to be ok in this environment and if that could happen to a veteran varsity athlete then I would be ok.

If you could trade places with one JC athlete, who would it be and why

Pat McEvoy. Because of his finesse on the soccer field. He puts his heart in the game and always tries to get better one day at a time.

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