May 19—GRAND FORKS — As soon as last year’s North Dakota state track and field meet concluded, Hillsboro-Central Valley junior Jack Mattson told Burros coach Spencer Ruebke a big senior finish was in store.
“Last year was my first year at Hillsboro-Central Valley, and so it was my first time getting to know him,” Ruebke said. “After the state meet, he came up and said ‘I want 20 points next year.’ He was already thinking about next year.”
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Mattson finished third in the shot put last year and fifth in discus. This year, he holds the top throw in the shot put and ranks fourth in the discus.
Still, he’s determined to chase those 20 points he told his coach about last year.
“I’m going to go there, throw bombs and win it,” Mattson said. “I’m confident. Confidence is key.”
Mattson’s best throw in the shot put is 54 feet, 4.25 inches.
“He calls them 50-bombs,” Ruebke said. “He had one indoor, then had a couple about 50 and 52. He threw 54 at regions, so that was cool.”
Mattson is the latest in a line of successful throwers from the Burros. Former Burro and now North Dakota State’s Kaden Pastian won the Summit League title in the hammer throw last weekend, while Hillsboro’s Peter Dryburgh also competes for the Bison.
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“The older guys like Kaden and Peter have been good mentors and brought a good attitude to the program,” Mattson said.
Mattson will compete in both football and track and field at Minot State next season.
The 5-foot-11, 240-pound future college defensive lineman started throwing in the seventh grade.
“I was convinced I wanted to throw in college by about sophomore year,” he said.
Ruebke said he has the right makeup for his high goals.
“He’s the last one to leave practice every day,” Ruebke said. “I’ll go home, and he’s still out there throwing.”
In the shot put, Mattson’s top challengers are expected to be Preston Arndt of LaMoure-Litchville-Marion and Andrew Matt of Carrington. Mattson’s best throw is 54-4.25, while Arndt is at 53-9.5 and Matt has 52-4.5.
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Matt has the top discus toss. His best is 161-3, while Arndt is at 156-10, Paxton Jahner of Bowman County is at 155-8 and Mattson is at 151-6.
Like many track and field athletes in the area, Mattson has been anxiously waiting on warmer weather.
“This year, it’s been a little rough with a cold patch here, but it’s finally starting to warm up and I’m throwing some bombs,” Mattson said.
The Class B boys shot put is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Friday, while the Class B boys discus starts at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
