It took a gutsy, dazzling last lap, but he did it.
Matthew Maton, running unattached on his future home track of Hayward Field at the Oregon Twilight, ran 3:59.38 in the full mile to become the sixth prep in history to break four minutes. The time ranks U.S. No. 3 All-Time.
High School Boys All-Time Mile List:
1. Alan Webb, 3:53.43 (2001)
2. Jim Ryun, 3:55.3 (1965)
3. Matthew Maton, 3:59.38 (2015)
4. Tim Danielson, 3:59.4 (1966)
5. Lukas Verzbicas, 3:59.71 (2011)*
6. Marty Liquori, 3:59.8 (1967)
Duck alums Mac Fleet and Matt Miner were charged with pacing the field through 1,000 meters in 2:27 and 1,200 meters in 2:58. Current Ducks stars Eric Jenkins and Will Geoghegan worked together at the front, along with Isaac Presson of Furman Elite.
Maton, who targeted this race as a sub-four attempt, led the chase pack slightly off the front group. As the laps clicked by in unofficial splits of 61, 59 and 61, he passed 1,200 meters in just under 3:02. Surely - he was out of contention.
But while Jenkins and Geoghegan battled down the homestretch for top honors, there was a familiar scene building as Maton employed the same kick that propelled him to a 3:42.54 1,500m (US #3 All-Time) at last month's Oregon Relays.
The Summit High School senior split about 58 seconds in the final lap to break away from the chase pack and pass Presson.
The clock stopped at 3:57.09 as Jenkins found the extra gear over Geoghegan, who ran 3:57.53.
Maton flew through the finish line and collapsed on the ground. A full house at Hayward Field caught its collective breath as all eyes centered on the scoreboard in anticipation of final results.
3:59.38.
"I felt kinda off tonight so I was happy to put in that last lap to seal the deal!" he said.
Maton talked to LetsRun.com after the race.
The feat was made all the more special as the runner will attend the University of Oregon next year.
Fellow All-American prep Levi Thomet (Kodiak, AK) competed in Heat 1, racing to a six-second PR in the Mile for a U.S. No. 4 time of 4:07.6.
Levi Thomet, pictured at center in blue, ran U.S. No. 4 4:07.6 in Heat 1.
"It was awesome getting to race there as always," Thomet said. "You can't go wrong at Hayward Field... that was legendary watching Mat break 4! He really poured it on."
*Verzbicas was a high school student, but not a U.S. citizen
