When Nen Matlock was in seventh grade, he ran the 400-meter dash in 56 seconds. He was thrilled. By eighth grade, he improved to 50 seconds. It was then he realized he might have a future in track. Fast forward to his sophomore year at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee, Kansas. Matlock not only won the 2021 KSHSAA 5A state championships for both the 400 and 800 meters but also caught the attention of colleges nationwide.
In his junior year, schools like Michigan started reaching out. Little did they know, Matlock had a soft spot for Kansas State, where his sister was studying. The chance to run for K-State, just under two hours from home, felt right. “I never knew I’d come to K-State to compete in track,” he shared. “It’s special to represent my home state.”
Recently, Matlock and his teammates made waves at the Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Championships in Lubbock, Texas. He led the K-State men’s 4×400 relay team, which clocked in at 3:05.59 to grab the Big 12 Championship. “It was electric,” he said, reflecting on the excitement of competing with talented athletes.
Feeling the pressure, Matlock and his team knew they needed to win. “Texas Tech was right behind us,” he explained. After winning, they felt a wave of relief and joy.
Of note, in previous years, Matlock’s relay team didn’t fare as well. As a freshman, they finished second with a time of 3:05.03, while his sophomore year saw them place 11th with a slower time of 3:11.63. But this year felt different. Matlock, along with experienced teammate Tavon Underwood and newcomers Heath Grant and Bongumusa Nkosi, built strong chemistry. “We trust each other,” Matlock said.
Interestingly, new insights suggest that teamwork can significantly impact relay performance. A study published in the Journal of Sports Psychology indicates that athletes who share strong bonds often outperform those without such connections.
As the first leg of the relay, Matlock carries a heavy responsibility. “Starting things off sets the tone for the team,” he remarked. His individual achievements were impressive too: he ran a season-best 46.42 seconds in the 400 meters during the same championships, improving on his previous time of 46.55 seconds.
Now, as a Big 12 Champion, he and his team are looking ahead. “We aim to be a top five relay team in the country,” Matlock said, brimming with excitement for the outdoor season.
Running for K-State means a lot to him. “This team is special. We reached our goal, and now we want to achieve more,” he added. With the support of his teammates and a strong connection to his roots, there’s no telling how far Matlock will go.
For more on college athletics and team dynamics, check out this NCAA report.
