Athlete Spotlight: Matthew Tesch
By Searrah Herendeen
Athlete Spotlights highlight athletes competing for the first time or returning. We want to showcase the diverse sports community the Meijer State Games of Michigan has helped create and grown with. Today's Athlete Spotlight features a 2022 Athlete of the Year, Matthew Tesch.
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About Matthew:
Photo courtesy of Matthew Tesch
Matthew graduated from L'Anse Creuse Public Schools in 1986. He has lived along the shores of Lake St. Clair for most of his life. His brothers did not care that he was the youngest of five children. Matthew's older brothers, five and six years older than him, treated him like he was the same age. His smaller size required him to adapt and mentally sharpen his athletic abilities. Due to this, Matthew honed his athletic skills faster than his peers.
Coached by his father until he was 16 years old, Matthew never shied away from competition because of his father's teachings. He has always had an active lifestyle by participating and coaching. Some sports he has participated in include track and field, baseball, wrestling, and softball.
In 2022, Matthew was nominated and selected as the Meijer State Games of Michigan Adult Male Athlete of the Year. He was amazed and claimed, “I owe everything to my late father's teachings, my amazing wife of 25 years, and my awesome son who encouraged me to compete in the games.” His son is a Northwood University's Throw Team member and Matthew's coach. Without his son's coaching, he believes that he would not have been able to reach personal records in all three of his events last year. Matthew earned one gold and two silver medals in the 2022 Meijer State Games of Michigan Summer Games.
Photo courtesy of Matthew Tesch
A Challenge Matthew has overcome
In 2008, Matthew went through a devastating surgery. He has a triple fusion surgery from his S1 vertebra to L3. At the time, he was coaching youth football, playing in an adult flag football league, and was a 3rd baseman in softball. It completely changed his life by stopping him from continuing those activities. It impacted not only him but his son.
His son was only eight at the time. Matthew saw that as the point in a boy's life where his father is supposed to be there and teach him. He states, “The following five years were the most trying, and with the support of [my] wife and son, I was able to regain my strength and resume my life as I once did.” Eventually, Matthew could coach his son in baseball and youth football, as his father did. He and his son learned about the Meijer State Games of Michigan Summer Games when his son was a senior in high school. The first year, his son participated in disc throw. After that, they made a pact to join in the games together. At that moment, Matthew passed down his " coaching hat” to his son.
Photo courtesy of Matthew Tesch
The impact of track and field on Matthew’s life
Like many things, the lessons a person learns are usually realized years after an event. Matthew was used to playing team sports. They required everyone to work together to win. Matthew declares, “Track and Field gave me the opportunity no other sport gave, and that was for me to compete against myself.” He has applied the lessons of self-composure and teamwork from track and field to his work life. For a team to be successful, each individual must accomplish their own tasks while helping others.
Photo courtesy of Matthew Tesch
ADvice to those thinking about competing
First, Matthew wants athletes to understand that there will always be someone who appears bigger, stronger, and faster. However, it isn't about physical attributes. It is about the athletes that work hard to achieve success. To compete, an athlete has to practice. Measure yourself, so you know what your capabilities are. Matthew states, “You don't always have to beat your competition to win. If you beat your personal record, you have just [beaten] your strongest competitor, YOU.”
Photo courtesy of Matthew Tesch
things that matthew is looking forward to during the 2023 meijer state games of michigan summer games
Matthew has competed in the Summer Games for the past two years, so of course, he will be competing again. He looks forward to competing against himself and beating his personal records in all three events he participates in. He is also wanting to make his coach proud. Matthew is also excited about the opening ceremony and the lighting of the cauldron. He insists, “This will be the highlight of my athletic career.”
The Meijer State Games of Michigan is a multi-sport, Olympic-style event(s) that welcome athletes regardless of age or ability level. The Games embody the values of participation, sportsmanship and healthy living.