Madison, Wis. - Each week during the 2025-26 academic year, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) will feature two student-athletes (one male and one female) from one of its eight institutions for a "Student-Athlete Spotlight" Q&A segment. The segments will be posted every Thursday and individuals are selected by the institution.  The WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlights are presented by Culver's.    

Senior Grant Matthai of Wauwatosa (West) is in his fourth year as a member of UWL's cross country and track & field teams. He has competed at three National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Cross Country Championships, earning All-America honors with a third-place finish in 2024. Matthai placed 63rd in 2023 and 70th in 2022. He is a two-time All-WIAC First Team selection in cross country, winning the league title in 2024 and placing third in 2023. Matthai earned 2022 All-WIAC Second Team accolades with a 12th-place finish. At the NCAA Division III Regional Championships, Matthai placed third in 2024 and fourth in 2023.  

As a member of the track & field team, Matthai has earned seven career NCAA Division III All-America honors. He won the indoor national title in the 5,000-meter run in 2025 and placed fourth in the 3,000-meter run. Matthai finished fifth in the 5,000-meter run and eighth in the 3,000-meter run in 2024. He captured the 5,000-meter run at the 2025 WIAC Indoor Championships.

Matthai has three career NCAA Division III Outdoor All-America awards, placing fourth in the 10,000-meter run and ninth in the 5,000-meter run in 2025. He was seventh in the 5,000-meter run in 2024. 

He is a statistics major and computer science minor. 

Why did you choose UW-La Crosse?
    I chose UWL because I felt like it gave me the best opportunity to grow as an athlete and person. The bluffs are also super cool!
 
What other clubs/organizations on campus are you involved in?
   Actuary Club.

What do you like most about competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and being a NCAA Division III student-athlete?
    The WIAC is the most competitive conference in cross country and track & field, and I like that it pushes me to be the best runner I can be. Being a Division III athlete allows me to find balance in athletics & academics, and I like showing others that Division III runners are also really good!
 
What is your favorite…
Menu item from Culver's?  Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Flavor of the Day from Culver's?  Andes Mint Avalanche
Non-Athletic Spot on Campus?  Whitney Dining Hall
TV Show?  Breaking Bad
Holiday?  Thanksgiving
Food?  Lasagna
Animal?  Eagle (duh)
Smartphone App?  Strava
Musical Group or Artist?  Tyler, The Creator
Professional Sports Athlete or Team?  Milwaukee Bucks
Vacation Spot?  Switzerland
 
What is your greatest sports moment? 
    Winning a national title in the indoor 5,000-meter run.
 
What is your favorite thing to do off the court/field with your teammates?
    Watching Packers games.
 
Who is someone that you look up to?
    Cole Hocker.
 
Do you have any words of advice for younger/upcoming student-athletes?
   Patience and consistency above everything else.
 
One word that describes you?
   Busy.
 
What is your dream job? 
   Professional runner.
 
Three things on your "bucket list"?
   Run the Boston Marathon.
   Start a coaching business.
   Hiking the Appalachian Trail.
 
A non-athletic talent that you have is?
   Video-making.

What's your dream sporting event to attend?
    Summer Olympics.
 
Do you have any pre-game/pre-event superstitions or rituals? If so, what are they?
    I always re-tie my spikes right before racing.