April 9, 2025
By Nikalena Iacono
Managing Editor
Senior cross country and outdoor track and field captain Matt Vargas, who is also on the indoor track and field team, is racing into college athletics. On Jan. 31, he committed to run Division III cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field at Drew University in Madison.
Vargas–who intends to compete in the 800-meter, 1,500-meter, 1-mile, 2-mile, 8K and 10K races at Drew–said he is looking forward to seeing his hard work pay off.
“My goals and expectations are to drop my times significantly, qualify for my division and medal in my own league,” Vargas said.
He said the most challenging aspect of the sport is training.
“Matt has never been scared to train hard or compete in anything. He trusts his ability and [strives] to be better every single day.”
“[Runners] have to hit certain mile goals for the week and go through hard track workouts,” Vargas said. “The hardest part is finishing off the day with a lift, and some days you don’t want to do it, but those are the days you have to do it to be considered consistent or disciplined.”
Vargas said his most significant athletic accomplishments at LHS were earning a first-team all-league designation for cross country in the fall and an honorable mention in outdoor track and field last year.
He said his biggest fan is Coach Aviles, who is the assistant coach for the cross country team and head distance coach for the indoor and outdoor track teams.
“He’s always hyping me up and encouraging me to do better,” Vargas said.
Aviles said one of Vargas’ outstanding qualities is his confidence.
“Matt has never been scared to train hard or compete in anything. He trusts his ability and [strives] to be better every single day,” Aviles said.
He said Vargas’ self-assured demeanor sets the tone for the rest of the distance runners, and his ability to bounce back after encountering adversity is impressive.
“He gets sick, he comes back wanting to compete. He loses a meet, he wants to go at [it] again. He didn’t do well in a workout, he doesn’t stress about it,” Aviles said.
Junior distance runner Aidan Nogueira, who has been on the varsity cross country team for two years and the indoor and outdoor track and field teams for three years, said Vargas is not just a talented athlete but also a great person.
“He is a nice kid and an easy-going friend,” Nogueira said. “Matt will find a way to make something boring into the best time of your life.”
Nogueira said he is confident Vargas will be successful at Drew.
“He is a hard worker and doesn’t complain about what needs to be done. If the coach tells him to do something, he’ll do it,” Nogueira said. “Matt will find a good spot on the team, and he will compete [well] like he did in high school.”
