Posted on Friday, October 25, 2024
Start your engines!
Juniors Connor Roberts and Brandon Matson, who are involved with Formula 4 and go-kart racing, respectively, keep the pedal to the metal in an activity they have come to know and love.
Racing became a passion for Roberts after watching his father.
“My father raced in the early 2000s, and being able to go to the track with him from a young age drew me into racing,” Roberts said. “I have been involved in the sport for about 10 years, from racing karts to helping dad at the track and then moving up to cars shortly after my 14th birthday.”
Matson feels right at home on the course.
“I have a family history in the activity, so it was natural when I went to my first race in July 2012 that I became obsessed,” Matson said. “I have been involved off and on for about 10 years.”
Finding success in racing
Through years of hard work and dedication, Roberts moved up the racing ladder to the F4 United States championship in Canada, where he competed back in September.
“The track was awesome and there were close to 30,000 people there to watch and support,” he said.
He has earned the title of divisional champion in the Sports Car Club of America two years in a row and is currently third in the points standings of the US F4 championship.
Matson, who competes mainly at New Smyrna Speedway and the Orlando Kart Center, has received accolades in his races on the track and in a simulator.
“I have pole positions and wins with a best season finish of 9th place,” he said. “In the simulator I have won multiple championships.”
Juggling academics and activities
Outside of racing, they are keeping their focus in the classroom and on campus commitments, especially for Matson, who is heavily involved in football, the Sports Management Club and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
Both have learned skills in the Business program that they will take with them into their desired careers in the motorsports industry.
“I have learned the importance of knowing how to communicate and being able to convey what you know,” Roberts said.
“The Business program has taught me how to build and maintain relationships,” Matson added.
Throughout his time as a student, Matson has been mentored by Associate Sports Management Professor Dr. Clay Bolton and all the football coaches.
“They have pushed me past my limits to become the best version of myself,” he said.
Why LC?
“It is a very student-centered environment where all the teachers know you by name, which is a big help for learning and being able to ask questions,” Roberts said.
“You get a quality education with hands-on experience that will set you up for a successful career,” Matson said.
Sports Management Advisory Board
Tuesday, Oct. 29
10 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room
Stay in Good Standing: Understanding Financial Aid and Academic Standing Policies
Tuesday, Oct. 29
11 a.m., Bailey Room
Black Male Initiative Presents: Tyrone Dillard
Wednesday, Oct. 30
11 a.m., Bailey Room
On the Road to Becoming a Physical Therapist
Thursday, Oct. 31
Noon, Corn Auditorium
1-Nick Beamenderfer, Athletics (Baseball)
1-Kerry Kenner, Enrollment Management and Student Experience
2-Simon Hwang, Mathematics
5-Melvin Hall, Chemistry
10-KeJuana Campbell, Business Office
15-Karen Leeper, Psychological Science
16-Astra Barkley, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
25-Paul Hammock, Music
27-Kendal Wallace, Athletics (Men’s Basketball)
28-Kelly Veal, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
28-Patti Hoxsie, Advancement
Football
LC beat Brevard 26-21 on Saturday, Oct. 19. The team hosts Greensboro for Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 26 (tomorrow).
Freshman Mychal Stillwell was named USA South’s Offensive Rookie of the Week for the second time in a row. He caught a team-high six passes for a career-best 85 yards in last week’s win.
Junior Brandon Matson was named USA South’s Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season. He punted six times for 215 yards.
Men’s Soccer
The Panthers tied 2-2 with Middle Georgia on Sunday, Oct. 20. The team will travel to Belhaven to compete in the final match of the regular season on Saturday, Oct. 26 (tomorrow).
Senior Robel Teshome was named Collegiate Conference of the South’s Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season. In a decisive 4-1 victory over Huntingdon, Teshome led the charge with a standout performance, contributing a goal and two assists for a total of three points.
Women’s Soccer
LC lost 0-4 to Piedmont on Wednesday, Oct. 24. The team will take on Agnes Scott on Saturday, Oct. 26 (tomorrow), at 11 a.m. for Senior Day.
Junior Kaia King was named Collegiate Conference of the South’s Offensive Player of the Week. In last week’s match against Huntingdon, she contributed an assist and scored both her 10th and 11th goals of the season.
Volleyball
The Panthers won 3-0 against Wesleyan and lost 0-3 to Asbury during a tri-match on Saturday, Oct. 19, in Macon, Georgia. On Wednesday, the team fell 0-3 to Clark Atlanta University. The Panthers will host Covenant and Piedmont on Saturday, Oct. 26 (tomorrow) from noon to 6 p.m.
Men’s Golf
LC placed 13th at the Chick-fil-A Invitational Oct. 21-22 to wrap up the fall season.
Freshman CJ Kilkelly was named the Collegiate Conference of the South’s Rookie of the Week. He had a solid showing at the Chick-Fil-A Invitational, shooting an opening round of 72.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Saturday, Oct. 26 – Women’s Soccer (Home) vs. Agnes Scott College, 11 a.m., Panther Field
Saturday, Oct. 26 – Volleyball Tri Match (Home) vs. Piedmont University and Covenant College, noon and 2 p.m., Richter Gym
Saturday, Oct. 26 – Football (Home) vs. Greensboro College, 1 p.m., Callaway Stadium
Saturday, Oct. 26 – Men’s Soccer at Belhaven University, 2 p.m., Jackson, Mississippi
Monday, Oct. 28 – Women’s Golf at Chick-fil-A Invitational, Rome, Georgia
Tuesday, Oct. 29 – Women’s Golf at Chick-fil-A Invitational, Rome, Georgia
Tuesday, Oct. 29 – Volleyball at Tuskegee University, 7 p.m., Tuskegee, Georgia
Wednesday, Oct. 30 – Men’s Soccer CCS Quarterfinals vs. Asbury, TBA, Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Thursday, Oct. 31 – Women’s Basketball (Scrimmage) at Auburn University, 6 p.m., Auburn, Alabama
LaGrange College to host Homecoming, LaGrange Daily News, Oct. 23
LaGrange College football enjoying remarkable turnaround, LaGrange Daily News, Oct. 22
Category: Students, Academics
Keywords: Motorsports, Athletics
