The senior spotlight series continues with current men's cross country and track & field student-athlete Matthew Dillon.

Name: Matthew Dillon

Hometown (HS): Poughquag, NY (Arlington)

Sport: Men's Cross Country, Track & Field

Major: Business Administration with a dual concentration in ISOM & Finance

** How did you start getting involved with cross country? How old were you when you started running?

I was a soccer player from pre-school through eighth grade, but my dad ran half marathons for sport and I always looked up to him and his performances. I decided to hang up the cleats and transition into running cross country as I went into high school at 14 years old and never looked back. 

** Do you have any current plans for after graduation?

After graduation, I'll be going on to pursue an MS in Business Analytics. Emory is one of five schools that I am considering for this degree.

** What is one piece of advice you would give to your freshman self?

Don't take any moment for granted, whether related to athletics or not. Enjoy all of the times you'll be gooning around with your friends this year, and don't lose your sense of fun.

** Which Emory faculty or staff member has made the greatest impact on you and why?

Coach Linh Nguyen has made the greatest impact on me. His unmatched expertise of the sport and incredible training philosophy has shaped me into a better runner than I could have ever imagined.

** What is one class would you retake just for fun and why?

I took Intro to Astronomy my fall semester freshman year to fulfill my SNT requirement, but I actually fell in love with the content of the course, so much so that I took Intro Astronomy 2: Advanced Topics the following semester. I finished both of the astronomy courses that Emory offered before I started my sophomore year, but if another astronomy course was offered I would take it in a heartbeat.

** What is the most unique thing about your hometown?

Poughquag, New York has more cows than it does stoplights.

** What is something that people may not know about you but should?

Most people don't know that I'm an avid Hess Toy Truck collector. Hess was a gas station chain on the East Coast from 1960 until 2014, and every year since 1964 they have released a little collectible toy truck around the holidays. I've been involved with the Hess collecting community for over ten years now, and have been a research contributor to multiple unofficial Hess Toy Truck Encyclopedia publications. Additionally, my collection is currently one of the most extensive in the country, boasting over 150 trucks.

** Other than the sport(s) you play, what is another one you think you could play at a high level?

For the most part my athletic abilities are limited to distance running, but I could definitely hold my own in a GaGa Ball pit.

** What is one professional athlete (past or present) would you like to have a conversation with and why?

I'd love to have a conversation with David Wottle to talk about his 800m victory in the Munich Olympics, and maybe even try on his iconic hat.

** How have you been trying to occupy your time with given the current COVID environment?

Besides taking classes and running, I've been getting a little better at cooking.

** Food you hate that everybody else seems to enjoy?

I cannot stand the taste or consistency of peanut butter.

** What would you say are your top three movies or television shows of all time?

Spongebob Squarepants, How I Met Your Mother, The Office.

** What is your favorite thing to do around Atlanta?

I've always enjoyed getting together with a group of buddies and playing a round of trivia at a local restaurant.

** What has been your most memorable moment during competition during your Eagles career?

My most memorable moment from competition is when I crossed the finish line of the 2019 XC Regional Championship meet, looked around at all of my teammates, and realized that Emory just handily won the regional title.

** Favorite non-athletic moment from your past few years at Emory?

All of the crazy late-night trips with friends to WoodRec for chicken tenders and fries my freshman year.

** What would be one thing you'd like to impart to the underclassmen before finishing your career?

I hope that I can instill hard work, dedication, and especially passion for the sport to my underclassmen teammates. That and a handful of my favorite running routes that were passed down to my class from upperclassmen.