(Photo by Shelley Hanson) Magnolia High School student Matthew Anderson signs to join the University of Charleston’s track team on Thursday. Shown with him are his mother Gail Scheibelhood, left, and father Derek Anderson. Back row, from left, are Magnolia Athletic Director Mark Blair, grandmother Brenda Scheibelhood, brother Austin Sheibelhood, great grandmother Pat Anderson and Magnolia throwing coach Travis Emch.

Magnolia High School student Matthew Anderson will go from being a Blue Eagle for the last four years to a Golden Eagle now that he has signed to join the University of Charleston’s track team as its newest throwing squad member.

Anderson, his family and Magnolia coaches celebrated the occasion with a ceremonial scholarship signing at Magnolia on Thursday.

He is the son of Gail Scheibelhood and Derek Anderson. He has two older brothers, Trenton and Austin. He is the grandson of Brenda Scheibelhood and great grandson of Pat Anderson.

Anderson said he began throwing discus as a freshman and initially did not know how much he would like the sport.

“My freshman year I started at 78 feet with the discus. …That summer after my freshman year I put a lot of work into it and got up to 140 feet in the discus. So I found out that’s what I really love to do. After that I really fell in love with the sport,” he said. “It’s been my thing ever since.”

Anderson said he plans to study biology at UC with the goal of becoming a pharmacist. Anderson said liked the university’s campus and track team, leading to his decision to become a Golden Eagle. Anderson, a senior, also played football at Magnolia in the positions of middle linebacker and running back.

Magnolia Athletic Director Mark Blair is happy for Anderson and his success.

“Matt Anderson is one of the nicest people you will ever meet,” Blair said. “He is a very hard worker. … The University of Charleston is definitely getting a good athlete, plus they are getting a very good kid.”

Blair added Anderson also had to work to heal from a knee injury sustained during the football season.

“We hope that every athlete at Magnolia High School goes and does something. … We want our kids to get out in the world and see what’s going on. Hopefully all the other kids will find their pathway, too,” he said.

Travis Emch, throwing coach and assistant coach for Magnolia Track & Field, said he has coached Anderson for several years.

“He is the one that has set the standard. Everything I’ve asked him to do he has worked hard for,” Emch said. “He does the little things right. He’s the first to practice, he’s the last one to leave every day. I can’t say enough good things about him. He’s led by example. He’s put in the work. He’s done a lot of stuff on his own, too. He’s worked out in the weightroom and he’s done a lot of throwing by himself. I’ll drive down by the track and he’s getting the work in. He does little things right to try and get himself set up for something huge.”

Emch said last season in discus Anderson hit a mark of 159 feet 3 inches, making him third place all-time at Magnolia. He also broke 15 feet in the shotput last year as a junior, making him the fifth person in Magnolia history to do that.

“Coming into his senior year he is coming off an injury. Hopefully he can get back to where he was at the end of last season, and have a great senior year before he goes down to Charleston and makes Magnolia proud,” Emch said. “A lot of kids look up to him and his leadership.”

Anderson’s new throwing coach at the University of Charleston, Nick Halabicky, recruited Anderson and is looking forward to coaching him.

“We are very excited to add Matthew to the group. He’s one of the highest-ranked discus throwers in the state for the 2025 class and a high level shot putter as well,” he said. “I believe he will develop in those events and may contribute most in the hammer throw once he gets here.

“Matthew is the epitome of mindset and work ethic that I am looking for in my throws squad; a very blue collar attitude that will fit in well. He has a lot of agency and pride in his success which I appreciate a lot.”

Anderson’s mother, Gail Scheibelhood, said she is proud of her son and his accomplishments.

“He’s a very hard worker and is very dedicated and determined at whatever he does,” she said. “He’s going to do great things. I’m excited for the opportunities that he has.”

She noted her son’s goal was to continue his track career at the college level.

“This was his sport, he said, this is what he was meant to do. He’s in the gym every day. He’s a hard worker,” she said.

Scheibelhood said Anderson is her youngest child and she is a little sad that he will be leaving home, but happy that he won’t be too far away. She is looking forward to seeing him compete.