Gannon University Athletics

Ranked No. 3 in NCAA Division II Super Region One at 174 pounds, Matthews opened the 2016-17 campaign with a perfect 5-0 record en route to an individual championship at the Mount Union Invitational. The redshirt junior was forced to use the long route to his title, winning five matches after being involved in one of three first-round matches. He kicked off the day with an 11-2 major decision against Bellarmine's T.J. Edwards. Matthews followed with consecutive decisions against Mercyhurst Zach Breeden (4-1), Seton Hill's Zach Mattucci (10-4) and Mercyhurst's Kevin Holman (6-4). He then secured the gold medal with a 14-4 major decision against teammate Jake Stratton. Matthews entered the season with four career major decisions in three years, before recording two in five matches. He was an NCAA Division II National Championship qualifier last season.