Nia Williams-Matthews: A Rising Star in American Collegiate Track and Field
Nia Williams-Matthews has established herself as one of the premier jumpers in American collegiate track and field, setting multiple records and achieving impressive performances throughout her career at Youngstown State University. Her consistent improvement and dedication to her craft have marked her as a notable talent in the jumping events, particularly in the triple jump where she has excelled at both conference and invitational levels.
Athletic Career and Development
Early Athletic Background
Nia Williams-Matthews’ athletic journey began well before her collegiate career. As a child, she initially participated in dance, but her parents redirected her energy toward gymnastics after she frequently jumped off furniture at home. She pursued gymnastics from around 2008 until middle school, when her increasing height made the sport more challenging2. During her secondary education years at Aquinas Institute in Rochester, New York, she participated in multiple sports, including volleyball, basketball, and track and field from seventh grade through her junior year29.
High School Achievements
During her high school career, Williams-Matthews established herself as a multi-talented track athlete, competing in various events including sprints, hurdles, and jumps. Her high school personal records demonstrate her exceptional ability, with marks of 40-02.00 in the triple jump and 18-08.75 in the long jump9. Originally focusing on sprinting events like the 100m and 200m, she gradually transitioned toward jumping specialties where she would later make her greatest impact2. Her achievements at the high school level culminated in a state championship, laying the groundwork for her collegiate career4.
Collegiate Career at Youngstown State
Williams-Matthews’ career at Youngstown State University has been characterized by steady improvement and impressive achievements. Currently in her fifth year (2024-25 season), she has become a cornerstone of YSU’s track and field program as a specialist in jumping events35. Her progression through the collegiate ranks shows a pattern of consistent development, with performance improvements each season.
Record-Breaking Performances
School Records and Recent Achievements
In January 2025, Williams-Matthews extended her school record in the triple jump during the Orange and Purple Invitational held at Clemson University. In dramatic fashion, she reclaimed her record with a leap of 12.49m on her final attempt after teammate Esther Solarin had briefly taken the record with a 12.46m jump17. This performance earned her a fourth-place finish at a competitive invitational and demonstrated her competitive spirit in high-pressure situations.
Following this achievement, she was named the Under Armour Horizon League Track and Field Athlete of the Week, sharing the honor with teammate Mariah Day who was recognized for running events7. Her performance trajectory continued upward as the 2025 season progressed, with a 12.71m triple jump mark at the Horizon League Indoor Championship in March, securing her a second-place finish5.
Personal Best Performances
Williams-Matthews’ personal bests across both indoor and outdoor seasons showcase her exceptional ability:
Indoor:
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Triple Jump: 12.71m (2025 Horizon League Championships)5
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Long Jump: 5.91m (2025 YSU Mid Major Invitational)5
Outdoor:
These marks represent not only her individual achievements but also her value to the Youngstown State track program, where she has contributed significant points in conference championships.
Personal Background and Character
Education and Interests
Beyond athletics, Williams-Matthews is pursuing an education in Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology at Youngstown State University4. This academic focus complements her athletic pursuits and suggests an interest in understanding the physiological and psychological aspects of athletic performance.
Her personal interests extend beyond track and field to include food, gaming, movies, television, sports more broadly, and travel4. This well-rounded set of interests suggests a balanced approach to life beyond her athletic commitments.
Community Involvement
Williams-Matthews demonstrates commitment to her sport beyond personal achievement, spending her summers coaching track and field to children between the ages of 5 and 174. This coaching experience not only allows her to share her knowledge and passion for the sport but also indicates leadership qualities and a desire to contribute to the development of future athletes.
Competitive Profile
Specialized Events
While Williams-Matthews began her track career as a sprinter, she has developed into a jumping specialist, focusing primarily on the triple jump and long jump23. Her transition from sprinting to jumping events represents a strategic specialization that has allowed her to maximize her natural talents and technical skills.
Championship Performance
Williams-Matthews has established herself as a consistent performer in championship settings. She has won multiple Horizon League titles in the triple jump throughout her collegiate career35. Her ability to perform in these high-stakes competitions demonstrates mental toughness and competitive focus that complement her physical abilities.
Nia Williams-Matthews represents the ideal of collegiate student-athlete excellence, combining athletic achievement with academic dedication and community involvement. Her trajectory from a multi-sport youth athlete to a specialized jumping expert shows thoughtful development and persistent improvement. As she continues her fifth year at Youngstown State, her record-breaking performances suggest she may still be reaching toward her athletic peak.
Her story is particularly notable for the steady progression she has demonstrated throughout her career, improving her personal bests nearly every season. This pattern of consistent development, combined with her ability to perform at crucial moments in competition, marks her as an athlete with both natural talent and the work ethic to maximize that talent. The combination of these qualities has established Williams-Matthews as a significant presence in collegiate track and field, particularly within jumping events where she continues to push the boundaries of her performance.
Go Nia!
