2022 Sports Hall of Fame Inductee: Matthew Rudzki

Matthew Rudzki (2004) graduated as one of the most decorated distance runners in Fox Chapel Area School District history. In cross country, he was a four-time letter winner, three-time state qualifier, and two-time WPIAL medalist. During his senior season, Matt was a PIAA medalist and helped lead the Foxes to the first boys cross country section championship in school history. On the track, he lettered three times, was a WPIAL medalist in the 3200-meter run, and was part of a team that set a school record in the distance medley relay.

Following high school graduation, Matt attended Washington & Jefferson College, graduating in 2008. He finished his career as one of the top distance runners in Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC) history and was a two-time PAC cross country individual champion. As a sophomore, he became the first runner in Washington & Jefferson history to claim an individual cross country title. That same year, he earned all-region recognition at the NCAA Regional Cross Country Championship. Matt earned five PAC Cross Country Runner of the Week awards throughout his career. As a senior, he earned his second PAC championship, besting a 96-runner field with an 8,000-meter time of 26:32. Matt was the conference runner-up during his freshman season and sat out his junior season studying in Cologne, Germany. A member of the PAC 60th Anniversary Team, he also excelled for the Washington & Jefferson track & field team. He was the 2005 conference 10,000-meter champion, and during his sophomore season won both the 5,000- and 10,000-meter PAC championship events. Matt finished as runner-up in both distances on three separate occasions.

After his senior year, Matt was honored with the Walter C. Cooper Senior Scholar-Athlete Award as voted on by the Washington & Jefferson coaching staff. He was inducted into the Washington & Jefferson Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.In 2013, Matt earned his Juris Doctor degree, passed the bar exam, and presently serves the Fox Chapel area communities as the elected magisterial district judge. Matt, his wife Bridget, and their daughters, Lydia and Lorelei, reside in Sharpsburg.