On June 1 in St. Louis, St. Andrew’s Episcopal senior Tinoda Matsatsa etched his name in the record books. Nearly a month later, he continues to add to his budding resume.
The senior was recently named the 2022-23 Gatorade Maryland Boy’s Track and Field Player of the Year (POTY). Matsatsa is now included in consideration for the Gatorade National Boys Track and Field POTY.
Matsatsa had an incredible crescendo season, but he began to make national waves in early June. At the Hoka Festival in St. Louis, the senior broke the four-minute mile mark by more than two hundredths of a second.
“I think in his head, he was even a little surprised at the end of the race with how fast he ran,” St. Andrews Episcopal assistant coach Drew Singleton told MCM.
That mile time would rank third nationally among prep competitors, making him the 20th runner in prep history to break the four minute threshold. Additionally, he became the first Black high school athlete to run a sub-four minute mile.
Nearly two weeks later, Matsatsa won the national title in the 800-meter run at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor. Running a 1:47.61 time, he would both set a state record and become the No. 1 fastest 800-meter runner in the country.
“He was able and willing to push himself further than he thought he could,” Singleton said.
Signed to run at Georgetown University in the fall, Matsatsa was named to the first team All-Mid Atlantic Conference.
Beyond athletics, Matsatsa has attempted to make his mark in the community. He has volunteered with Shepard’s Table, an organization that helps the unhoused and underprivileged.
“Everyone wants to be around him because he makes the environment better,” Singleton said.
