One of the best things about track & field is how the data doesn't lie. You can win titles at any level but what you're truly graded on is how strong, fast, or skilled you are over the entire state and country. For the past few months, Monticello's Bazil Mathes has been making a name for himself.
In that time frame, Bazil has amassed four state titles and become the preeminent distance runner in Class 3. His winning times were solid but not necessarily shocking. That all changed in 2023.
After a winning XC season where he would ultimately win the Class 3 state title in 15:25 (VA #12) he turned on the jets indoors. He dropped significant time in the 1600 to win another state title in 4:15.68 (VA #5). It was then when he was knocking on the door of being a really big name in the entire state.
Then came Dogwood, the biggest meet in Virginia, where he had quite the breakthrough race. It was there he dropped a 23 second pr and broke the 9-minute barrier. His final time of 8:56.18 ranks him 11th all-time in Virginia history.
With the addition of this time, Bazil now sits at 1:55, 4:14, 8:56, and 15:25 with his pr's across the distance races. This range of speed and endurance puts him at the very top level across the state and looks to only be the start of what is to come. After all, he's only a junior!
