OATCCC Hall Of Fame
Matt Somerlot

Matt Somerlot comes from a strong lineage of track & field greatness, as he has followed the example set for him by his parents Criss & Rita Somerlot who also coached at Centerville High School. Criss (2011) and Rita (1992) are both past inductees in the OATCCC Hall of Fame. In addition to the coaching experiences gained from his parents Matt was an also an outstanding thrower, both at Centerville High School and then as a collegiate athlete at Indiana State. Although Matt has that lineage and personal athletic success he has certainly taken those experiences and created his own path of coaching success during his 28 year tenure at Centerville High School. Matt began his career at Centerville High School as an Assistant Track & Field Coach from 1996 to 1999. In 2000 he was appointed as the Head Men’s Track & Field Coach then in 2015 his responsibilities at Centerville were expanded when he was also appointed as the Head Women’s Track & Field Coach. Two major positions he has done an outstanding job continuing to develop through the 2023 season. In addition to those two positions he has also been actively involved with the Cross Country programs serving as an assistant from 2005-2020, then committing once again from 2023-present. The success of the Centerville Elks under his guidance is very impressive. His teams are consistent contenders for conference, district and regional titles every year. Centerville, under his guidance, have amassed 137 team invitational and relay titles (99 boys, 38 girls), 13 Greater Western Ohio Conference Championships (9 boys, 4 girls), 19 Boys District Championships (including 16 in a row) with 3 District Runner-Up finishes and 1 District 3rd Place finish, 6 Girls District Championships, 4 Boys Regional Championships with 5 Regional Runner-Up finishes, 2 Girls Regional Runner Up finishes. In addition to the success at the local level the Elks Boys have been the Division I State Track & Field Runner-Up two times, the Boys Division I Indoor Track & Field Runner-Up three times and the Girls Division I Indoor Track & Field Runner-Up two times. In addition to the impressive team successes Matt has an impressive list of honors the Centerville athletes have accomplished under his leadership. Those honors include 83 Outdoor Track & Field All-State athletes (52 boys, 31 girls), 127 Indoor Track & Field All-State athletes (83 boys, 44 girls), 8 Outdoor State Champions (4 boys, 4 girls), 14 Indoor State Champions (10 boys, 4 girls). Adding to the honors he has coached 19 All-Americans (11 boys, 8 girls), 2 National Champions – Yariel Soto (2019) New Balance Nationals in the Decathlon and Emma Bucher (2018) 9th Grade Mile. In addition to the Centerville athletic honors achieved he has 176 athletes that have achieved Academic All-Ohio honors (121 boys, 55 girls). Coach Somerlot has an impressive 242 athletes that have continued careers collegiately in track and cross country at the D1-108, D2-30, D3-90 and NAIA-14 levels since 2000. Matt has achieved multiple personal coaching honors which include District 13 Track & Field Coach of the Year in 2011, Greater Western Ohio Conference Coach of the Year 11 times (7 boys and 4 girls), Ohio Association of Track & Cross Country Officials Association “Contributors Award” 2015, Midwest Meet of Champions Staff (2007-2010) Men’s Throws, USATF National Team 2005 – US vs Finland, Canada and Estonia throws meet in Finland, USATF National Team 2008 – NACAC Men’s Throws Coach, Nike Cross Country Nationals – Ohio Representative from 2006-current (have coached the Midwest athletes in odd numbered years in Portland since 2007) and currently President of his local track & field coaches association. Beyond his coaching responsibilities he has been actively involved with Wayne High School in a dual meet charity series since 2007. The result has been outstanding with over 50,000 books collected and donated to the Dayton Children’s Hospital along with over $10,000 donated to organizations like LUPUS, JDRF, Wounded Warriors and Cancer survivors as well. What a plus for the Greater Dayton Community. The OATCCC is proud to recognize your outstanding career accomplishments by including you as a 2024 OATCCC Hall of Fame Inductee. Congratulations Matt!