Patriots’ Matthew Weaver Signs Track Scholarship With Crimson Tide
MADISON- After being recruited by numerous colleges from throughout the country, Matthew Weaver decided to remain close to home by signing an athletic scholarship to run track with the University of Alabama.
“I’ve always like Alabama and on my main visit to the campus in Tuscaloosa I felt like I was included in the program by the fellow athletes and the coaching staff,” said Weaver. “Plus, the facilities there are great.”
The recent Bob Jones graduate won the Class 7A state championship in the 300-meter hurdles event at the AHSAA State Track Meet. His time of 38.16 seconds was the best posted mark in all classifications in Alabama. Immediately after finishing the meet held in Gulf Shores Weaver met with the coaches from Alabama who indicated they loved how Weaver finished the tough 300-meter hurdles race with marvelous form.
“It was at that point I knew I was headed to Alabama,” said Weaver, who has been nicknamed “Top” by his schoolmates for having lots of hair on top of his head.
The son of James and Shellia Weaver was recruited by the likes of UAH, Southern Illinois, New Mexico State, West Virginia and Idaho State. He carefully looked at each school before making his decision to sign with the Crimson Tide.
Weaver has a 2.9 grade point average and will major in mechanical engineering at the Capstone. The 5-foot-9, 135-pound sprinter grew up in Virginia before his family moved to North Alabama in December, 2010. He played both track and football until his sophomore school year when he chose to concentrate on track where he ran both the 300 and 110-meter hurdles events and the 400-meter.
“Although I’m short compared to many hurdlers I have the ability to jump high,” said Weaver. “I have always loved to jump for as long as I can remember.”
As a youngster scurrying about his neighborhood with friends, Weaver would always jump fences lining nearby properties. Many times he wouldn’t use his hands on the fence while making his way over the obstacles. From those many fun years of playing he soon developed the desire to jump.
Weaver can also play the piano as he took two years of classical piano lessons. Today, he loves to play video games and hang out with friends. His life is about to change dramatically when he will make his way to Tuscaloosa in mid-July, but he feels he’ll remain the same person who feels he has the advantage on any opponent once he steps onto the track.
“I can’t say I have a lot of physical strength in my running, but I have speed along with a great form,” added Weaver. “I usually start off slow, but I build up my speed and overtake my opponents with my speed.”
The 17-year old Weaver said he owes everything he has accomplished to God, his parents and coaches. He especially thanks his father for helping him what he has been able to do in athletics up to this point in his life.
“There were several times through the years I wanted to stop, but my dad was always there to push me forward,” said Weaver. “He helped me jump any hurdle I was faced with.”
