Matt Conti
1/24/10: There are many adjectives that come to mind when Shaker senior Matt Conti's name is mentioned. Confident, determined, talented, focused, and competitive just to name a few. As Coach Couture mentioned at last year's Track Banquet, Matt Conti is one of those guys that you want running your anchor leg in a relay because he refuses to lose. For Indoor Track, he holds the Shaker 300M grade record for three different grades and the 400M grade record for sophomores and juniors. Last year, he was a member of the 4x400M relay team that established a school record and was a member of the Distance Medley Relay team that just recently set a new school indoor record in that event. For Outdoor Track, he holds the 400M grade record for 9th, 10th and 11th grade and was a member of the 4x400M relay team that set a new school record last year with Matt running an amazing anchor leg against several strong competitors. He was a key contributor last year as the Shaker Indoor and Outdoor Track teams swept the local Championship meets and brought home sectional titles in both seasons.
He is a fierce competitor on the track who thoroughly enjoys individual competition, yet fully appreciates the important teamwork that is essential for a successful relay event. Matt ran as a little noticed member of the outstanding Shaker Cross Country team as a sophomore and again this past fall as a senior. He quickly acknowledges that distance running is not his strength and that Cross Country was really an opportunity to better prepare him for races that are better suited to his talents like distances from 300M up to 800M. He has even successfully filled in on the short distance relay teams such as the 4x200M.
He is surrounded by a group of seniors who are similarly suited for one or two fast laps around an outdoor track and who are hoping to again break the 4x400M school record that they set just last year. Matt is having an outstanding senior Indoor season and is nationally ranked as an individual in the 600M and also ranked in New York State in the 300M, events in which he has run the fastest times in Section 2 so far this season. He recently ran an open 800M race and finished in 1:57.5 which currently ranks him #7 in NY State this season. He is hoping to again qualify for the NY State Indoor Championships as an individual and as a relay team member. During the Outdoor season, he hopes to make a rare third consecutive appearance in the NY State Championships this spring. Matt is also finishing strong in the classroom as he had the third highest academic average among the Shaker Boys Cross Country team which once again was the top boys Scholar Athlete running team in Section 2. His friendly nature is well known and he was recently recognized "Best Personality" among the Shaker senior class. He is planning to run in college and is currently weighing the various options that are available to him. Shakerrunning recently interviewed Matt Conti so you can learn more about him.
Shakerrunning.com Interview with Matt Conti:
Shakerrunning (SR): How did you first get involved in running?
Matt Conti (MC): Well I was always somewhat fast and involved in many sports like football, soccer, etc. When I got to 7th grade, I saw my brother running track during his freshman year and became interested. I joined track in 8th grade and was really bad until outdoor track that year. I wasn’t really convinced about track until I went to the Arcadia Invitational in California in my freshman year.
SR: Until this past weekend when your DMR team broke the school record, your older brother Kevin was a part of the school record DMR. How has your family influenced your running?
MC: My brother made me want to get better and compete extremely hard. Since he was better than me at just about everything, I wanted to beat him at running. Every time he did better, it just made me push harder. We would run in many of the same relays and against each other in open events. That was very cool. Also, my parents and sister show a lot of support and help me a ton. My father comes to every track meet to cheer me on and time me, while my mother videotapes the races.
SR: You have switched back and forth between playing football and running cross country the past few years. Can you talk about your decision to run cross country this past fall?
MC: I played football since 3rd grade right up through 9th grade. After I got good at track, though, I thought it would be more beneficial to run cross country instead of doing JV Football. I wasn’t very good at it- me and long distance running aren’t the best of buddies. So I went back to football my junior year. Despite my 4.5 40 yard time, I saw no playing time. That made cross country the best decision for my senior year.
SR: What are your favorite indoor and outdoor tracks and why?
MC: My favorite indoor track is Yale- it’s a clean run meet, with a gorgeous track and enough room to warm up (unlike the Armory which is too dry and crowded.) My favorite outdoor track is Johnstown- I have a lot of good memories from that track, and I always seem to run well there.
SR: How do you prepare before a meet?
MC: The week leading up to a meet, I eat as healthy as possible, and stay away from soda. Two nights before the race, I carb up on pasta, and the night before the meet, I eat half carbs/ half protein. The day of the meet and all day before, I hydrate non-stop. If possible, I try to sleep in until 9 or 10 the day of the meet, then have a good breakfast. I recently started working with Maggie Ferrari who does mental conditioning for athletes. It is the edge I need to compete at a high level.
SR: What will you always remember about Shaker High School Track?
MC: I’ll never forget all the friendships and bonds I’ve made with my teammates and coaches. One special person was Marc Strizzi, who I roomed with at the Empire State Games- he was a great teammate, friend, and an incredible athlete. The best times were the travel meets to Arcadia, Penn Relays, Yale and States- where I won a medal with my brother Kevin in the 4x4.
SR: What has been the highlight of your running career up to this point?
MC: Winning the Indoor Section II Championships last year because it was such a great team effort and such a great win. I don't think any personal accomplishment can be better than a whole team coming together.
SR: What do you consider your best racing distance and why?
MC: I think I am becoming a very competitive 600 runner, but in college I hope to excel in the 500m dash. That’s because I have been a 400 runner- turned 800 runner, so a distance in between may be the best.
SR: What advice would you give to a young runner who is just starting to run on a school team?
MC: Get your form down really well at a young age. That means your whole body posture- head, arms, legs. Once you get that down, it’s easier to improve your running.
SR: What do you think are the key factors in becoming a successful track and field athlete?
MC: Set goals. Take all workouts seriously. Realize that you are going to have plateaus, and don’t become disappointed during those times. Don’t let your mind get in the way of your body.
SR: Which sport outside of track do you most enjoy participating in?
MC: I love to play football- the physical part of the game. It allowed me to use my speed and I really got into hitting hard. I liked the mental part too- knowing the plays and strategy.
SR: What are some of your goals for the rest of your senior year?
MC: I want to qualify for the Indoor and Outdoor State Championships again and take a shot at the 600, 300, 400 and 4x4 school records.
SR: What are your plans to continue with competitive running after high school?
MC: I definitely want to compete at the college level, and further improve my times.
SR: How do you like to spend your time when not involved in running?
MC: You can find me making a lot of noise at high school sports games- supporting our teams. Going out to eat is one of my favorite things to do- although you would never guess it from my body size.
SR: If you could have dinner with one famous person who would it be and why?
MC: There are a lot of important people I would like to meet and talk with. But, if you’re talking dinner, probably Kanye West. He has a lot of fresh songs and would most likely bring me out to a nice restaurant- and bring some cute girls.
SR: What careers are you considering for the future?
MC: I think I would be a salesman for whatever business Brian Hickey starts- just kidding. For real, I am considering being a sales representative, real estate agent or teacher. And just recently I’m thinking about the field of physics. I’m good at math and good with people, so anything in which I can use those skills could be a good career.
SR: What is something about yourself that most people would be surprised to learn?
MC: People are usually surprised to learn that I am 50% Cuban. My mom was born in Cuba. I guess I just don’t look like what people expect a Hispanic to look like, and I’m not very good at Spanish.
SR: Any other comments you would like to share?
MC: I would like to thank all the coaches that helped me to get to the point I am now - Coaches Myers, Springstead, Kohler, Fiore, Hayes, Couture, and especially Coach Stadtlander, for so many years of coaching and his dedication to the sport.