by By Dan Ninham
Matayah Yellow Mule, 17, is Oglala Lakota and her Indian name means “prays for others”. Her hometown is Rapid City, SD. She will be a senior at Rapid City Central HS.
Matayah will be in the state track meet and high school athletic record archives. She broke Rapid City Central’s long jump record from 2008 (18’11 1/2). She was the 2021 triple jump state champion 2021(38’10) and long jump state silver medalist 2021. She also holds multiple records at Hardin High School in MT where she attended freshman year.
Tribal core values define who indigenous people are on their journey. Matayah shared: “I am always reminded to remain humble. Who you are as a person reflects in your success. It’s so important to me that I maintain a positive relationship with my sports, and especially my mind. It’s important to me that I always strive to get better and want better for myself.”
“I remind myself to never get comfortable because you can always be better.”
Matayah was featured last in ndnsports as a gymnast with track goals too. Her track goals are completed with new goals to be made. Click on: http://www.ndnsports.com/mataya-yellow-mule-oglala-lakota-training-as-a-gymnast-to-be-a-state-meet-level-track-athlete/
Her multi-athletic seasons all connect to make her better in the current sport she is in. She is always thinking gymnastics too. She said: “I’m currently in off season, meaning we are currently doing open gyms about once a week, we are all working pretty hard to improve ourselves and prepare for the upcoming season. This is our first time we have trained off season so it’s really exciting.”
Although in the gymnastics offseason, Matayah just started volleyball practice last week. This is the life of a multi-athlete in high school.
Matayah has far reaching goals. During this Olympics year, she is aspiring to go to compete for the USA.
“Growing up I always thought it was a very far stretch, and I would have to work hard,” said Matayah. “You have to work hard for almost everything, so why not? To get there I am going to have to sacrifice many things, and dedicate my focus and strength towards that goal.”
Her favorite Olympian is a 2020 Tokyo Olympic gold medalist hurdler. Matayah said the one who she aspires to be is: “Sydney McLaughlin, because not only is she a phenomenal athlete but she is so strong in her faith. She competes with purpose and focus in her heart. I admire the passion within her heart that drives her to success.”
“I have a mentor, Tracy Davies,” said Matayah. “She influences me because she is overall an amazing person, and she accepts people for who they are and not what they are. I love her acceptance and welcoming heart.”
“I have known Matayah in the capacity of a mentor for over five years,” said Tracy Davies. “Matayah approaches life with a big smile, confidence, and a jump-right-in attitude. And jump she has! She surprised herself at how high, far, and long she could jump, and she just keeps going!”
“When Matayah was in seventh grade, her art teacher showed her a picture of Van Gogh’s Starry Starry Night. That night Matayah came to my house and replicated the painting because it was fun and she knew she could. The result was incredible because of her patience and determination. She has approached sports in the same way, and surprised herself how she can excel at track, volleyball, and gymnastics,” added Tracy.
“She of course is naturally talented, but I am convinced her ‘can-do’ attitude has a large part in her success,” said Tracy. “She frequently texts me and says “GUESS WHAT?!” it is always followed by a new personal best or new record broken in athletics. One of these days she will text me and tell me she made it to the Olympics.”
“It has been a joy to be in Matayah’s life and I can’t wait to see what records she will break next,” added Tracy.
“My coach Jenna Stephens is constantly setting me at high standards,” said Matayah. “I especially appreciate her because she lets me decide when I want to be done, and I’ve thought about it, and that little thing she does taught me something. She doesn’t choose when I’m done, she lets me choose, whether I want to slack off and just go home, or whether I want to stay and practice movements, I get to choose.”
Coach Jenna Stephens talked about her star athlete. She said: “Matayah is every coach’s dream. She is incredibly talented, but more importantly she is the hardest worker on the team, she never complains, she gets along with her teammates and competitors, and she shows up every single day with a smile.”
“Matayah is so focused on competition, that I can hardly ever tell when she’s nervous. We had a meet where Matayah set the school record in long jump, and a new personal record in triple jump. After two prelim jumps Matayah told me she didn’t want to jump in finals. I asked her why not and with a smile on her face, she said ‘I’m just so worked up!’ And that was her way of telling me she was nervous. The extra dose of adrenaline was a learning experience for Matayah and she did go on to finish her jumps, and improved her distance.”
“A year ago I would have just left early, but now I understand the only one it is affecting is me, if I stay it benefits me, if I leave it does not. It is my decision because it affects my outcome.”
Everyone has a story that is continuing to grow and be told every day. “I would like it to be about morals and values on the track as well as accomplishments. I want people to also get to know me and my attitude on the track!”
Photo Credit: Chloe Thome
Your are such brilliant young woman my girl ❤️✝️ we are so excited to see what your future holds as well.
My daughter is so amazing this is her last year and I’m excited to see what this last year holds for her, she’s truly blessed.