Mattson captures heptathlon gold in final MW Championship appearance

CLOVIS, Calif. – Breaking her own school record for the second straight year with 5,635 points, Fresno State's Jestena Mattson won the heptathlon at the 2019 Mountain West Track & Field Championships on Thursday at Veterans Memorial Stadium. It was her second consecutive gold medal in the heptathlon at the conference championships and third first-place finish in a row in the multis at the conference meet after winning the heptathlon in 2018 and the pentathlon last February.

"It's my senior year, I wish my score was better but I'm really happy with what it is, especially with getting to nationals," Mattson said after the final event. "I have a chance to make that score even better and then we'll see how my career goes from collegiate life and beyond."

Entering today, Mattson's point total would place her 11^th in the NCAA this season, with the top 24 scorers moving on to the NCAA Championships in Austin, Texas next month. Her point total also ranks as fifth-best in MW Championship history.

The Parkdale, Oregon native became the first Bulldog to win multiple conference titles in the heptathlon, grabbing her second. With Thursday's win, Mattson became the fifth athlete in the Mountain West to win the event in back-to-back seasons and the first since 2013.

The senior will end her career with four conference championships in the combined events.

Starting the day with 3,345 points, 13 ahead of last year's winning pace, Mattson hit a mark of 6.00m/19-8.25 in the long jump for her second event win after winning the 200 meters the previous day. It was a season best for the Bulldog and matched her mark from a year ago at the championships. The jump moved her just 25 points behind San Diego State's Asia Smith for the top spot.

Mattson followed that up by launching a personal best in the javelin that registered 37.85m/124-2 to place fourth in the event. The mark moved her past Smith heading into the final event.

With the lead, Mattson went out quick in the 800 meters, forcing the pace through the first lap. The senior dropped a time of 2:20.72 to take second and secure her heptathlon title.

"It's very special because my sophomore year I won indoor and got third outdoor, then I lost indoor and won outdoor, and now this year I won both," Mattson said of her career. "It's an amazing feeling. I'm just happy with how far me and my coaches have come because this is only my third year of the heptathlon and I've had Coach (Martin) Palavicini with me the whole time."

The championships continue tomorrow at 2 p.m. PT with the women's hammer throw. Track events will began at 5 p.m. with the men's 1500 meters.

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Fresno State Athletics

Mattson captures heptathlon gold in final MW Championship appearance

Players Mentioned

Jestena Mattson

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