Matt Goyden, who runs both cross country and track, has had to deal with plenty of changes since last March. After the spring track season was canceled, the fall cross country season was postponed. Still, he remains grateful for the teammates and coaches that he has as well as the way the Binghamton Athletic Department has navigated its way through the current pandemic.

Tell us how you have managed to stay in shape these past five months.

To be completely honest, it was tough in the spring. Once we knew there was not going to be a season and not knowing when we would compete again made it hard to stay on track. However, what the coaches set up for us in the spring was flexible and helped me maintain fitness. After the spring it became easier because then it was just normal summer training for us, as there is a schedule forus to follow that is given out every summer.

You are part of a group of Maine-Endwell High School alums who have gone on to run track and cross country at Binghamton. Have you been able to train at all with them these past few months?

I am lucky enough to have a lot of competitive runners in the area to train with. I have had the opportunity to run with Dan frequently and a few other M-E alums that have attended other universities.

When you arrived here back in 2017, how good was it to have several of your high school teammates on the squad. How close have you all become in the ensuing years?

Knowing a few guys on the team prior to starting my career at Binghamton made the transition smooth, and having familiar faces to talk to when I had questions was a plus. Knowing them helped, but it did not take away from the relationships I have formed with everyone on the team. Living with a group of guys is a lot different than being on the same high school team. You learn more about each other and develop a relationship that can not be matched in another setting.

In 2018, you were named the Most Outstanding Rookie at the America East Cross Country Championships. How meaningful was that for you?

After redshirting my freshman year Cross Country Season and then breaking my foot during indoor, I knew I had a long road back to being competitive again. With the help from athletic trainers and coaches, they set up a plan for me to recover the right way. There was no pressure to get back quickly, and they cared about me as an individual. This ultimately helped me progress and succeed. The recognition during conferences was the icing on the cake from all of the hard work put in throughout the process.

How much of an impact has Annette Acuff had on your career as a runner?

I can not say enough about Coach Acuff! She has not only helped me excel as a runner, but she also knows the importance of academics and is very flexible with class conflicts. She cares about each one of her athletes and her support during and outside of practice has helped me grow. Her personalized training plan for her athletes makes it easy for everyone to train at their own level which helps the whole team be successful.

Last cross country season, you had a big meet at the Paul Short Run. What went good for you that day?

It was a combination of a lot of things. We had a good training block leading up to that race. I was feeling confident about my fitness prior to the race. I was lucky enough to run aside Daryn for most of the race which helped motivate me. Ultimately, being in the right mind set helped me perform at my best.

How much has the team been able to stay connected during these past five months?

Luckily, we live in the era of the internet. Like most teams, we have been using zoom and group chats to stay connected throughout these past few months. We had a weekly zoom chat in the spring with the team and throughout the summer we have been keeping in touch.

How helpful have Annette Acuff and Pat Murray been during these past five months when you weren't able to be on campus?

Like I said before, the coaching staff at Binghamton is very flexible and that makes it easy to train in a stress free environment. Also throughout the spring and into the summer they kept close contact with us, hosting some zoom meetings and individual phone calls to discuss how we were doing.

Even though there is no cross country season this fall, how good will it be to get back on campus and see your teammates and coaches again?

It is going to be weird. With all of the necessary regulations that have been put in place, this year is going to be different. I am not certain what this year is going to look for us or when the next time we will compete is. I am at least looking forward to being around my teammates because it makes training better. It will be nice to get back on campus and have this new normal for a while.

Finally, what are you most thankful about being a part of the Binghamton cross country and track & field programs?

I am thankful for the hard work that everyone has put into trying to keep us safe as well as get us back on campus. The Binghamton family knows what is best for their athletes and I am thankful for all they have done for me and this team