Matthew Bayley is a senior from Australia running for the cross-country team this fall. Bayley is a three time MAAC Champion for track and holds school records in the 600 meters for indoor track and in the 3k for outdoor track.

Do you live on or off campus?

Rice Hall

How did you start running?

I started running at around age seven or eight and just gradually got more and more involved in it. I started training seriously once in high school and from there running led me to overseas trips for Australian teams and then ultimately the scholarship to Iona competing at the NCAA Division I level.

What attracted you to Iona the most?

A lot of people on campus might not be aware of the past success Iona has had in cross country. For the past nine years Iona has been top 10 in the country at the NCAA Division  I Championships. That culture of success around the running program was the big factor for me coming here. I knew that Iona would always have a team that wants to do well, and that is the kind of motivation to have to become the best you can be in your sport.

What is the best part of running at Iona?

Probably the best thing is training and being around runners from all over the world. Iona has one of the most diverse teams in the NCAA. Leonard “Lenny” Korir, from Kenya won two National Championship titles this year, and we all get to train with him. Going into this cross country season there is a feeling of anticipation and positive energy that this year the team is chasing something special.

What is the most challenging part of college running?

As individualized as running is, in the NCAA Division I cross-country championships you need  seven guys out there running at their best to win. One of the biggest challenges therefore is being there for your team mates and pulling everyone through to the end of the season in the best shape they can be in for the championship season.

What is your favorite place to go to off campus?

New York City – we are so close here. We are lucky because there is always stuff to see and do in the city.

Once you leave Iona, what will you miss the most?

The lifestyle and fun of being in college, the teams’ energy and motivation in training

What are your hobbies?

Ice baths, movies, eating, sports and  music

What is your favorite TV show?

24, Entourage, Skins (British version) and Steve Irwin documentaries. 

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Steve Irwin is not related to me, although I did grow up watching his show.

What is your key philosophy in life or motto?

Don’t do something unless you are 100 percent committed to finishing it, otherwise you are just wasting your time.