Matea Thibeault '26 Recruiting Profile

My name is Matea Thibeault, and I’m currently a junior at Daniel Hand High School.

From a young age, I was drawn to both sports and the entertainment industry. I spent my youth as a model for nationwide sports campaigns with brands like Puma and Under Armour, and I had the exciting opportunity to be cast in the movie Black Friday, which premiered in 2021. While I loved these experiences, my true passion always remained in sports, where I found a deep sense of purpose and challenge.

From the time I was three years old, I’ve been passionate about sports. I tried everything — karate, MMA, lacrosse, basketball, soccer, tennis — you name it, I played it. As I got older, I realized I needed to focus on one sport if I wanted to excel. I chose soccer. I fell in love with the game, especially the challenge of constantly pushing myself to improve. Soccer quickly became my focus, and I worked hard to stand out. As a freshman, I made the varsity team and earned the Offensive Award. For my senior year, I was elected captain by my coaches and teammates. In addition to playing for my high school team, I’ve been part of the Rush Select Elite program in North Branford, CT, competing year-round.

After my freshman soccer season, I decided to try track during the off-season to stay in shape. What I didn’t expect was to discover that track is where I truly belong. I started out focusing on sprints and relays, and by the end of my first season, my all-freshman relay team broke the school record. I qualified for States in all my events and helped my team win the Class MM Championship. By the end of my sophomore year, I was awarded MVP both indoor and outdoor, and I was voted captain for both track seasons my junior year. I was also voted captain for both indoor and outdoor track my senior year, making me a 5x captain, including soccer. I finished in the Top 10 at States and achieved new personal records in every event. I shaved three seconds off my 400, 200, and 300-meter time — a milestone I’m especially proud of.

Track has taught me that success isn’t just about talent; it’s about mental toughness, discipline, and resilience. I love that it’s both an individual and a team sport. I’m constantly competing with myself to improve while also pushing my teammates to do their best. I believe I’m an asset to my team because I hold myself and others to high standards. I’ll jump into events outside my comfort zone to help my team earn points, and I’m always looking for ways to motivate and include everyone. I bring energy and encouragement that my teammates thrive on, and I’m committed to improving every year.

During an injury that cost me a season, I started the Safe and Sound Club, which brings awareness and resources to victims of domestic violence. Being a voice for them and helping them get back on their feet has become my passion. This club has earned me statewide recognition as "Person of the Month" in The Source in December 2024.

My goal is simple: to be better than I was the year before. I achieve that through consistency, discipline, and a willingness to learn from every race — good or bad. I run with people who are faster than me because their pace pushes me to improve. I value feedback from my coaches and peers, and I’ve learned to see setbacks as opportunities for growth. Not hitting a personal record or falling short of expectations isn’t failure; it’s a chance to learn and come back stronger.

I want to make a difference on and off the track. My vision is to expand my Safe and Sound Club into a nonprofit organization so we can help as many people as possible.

I’m looking for a college that will support both my academic and athletic goals. I want to be pushed to grow into the best version of myself — both on and off the track.