Hall of Fame
Lesa Matrai (then Kubishta) competed at PLNU for four seasons (1997-2000). Not only was her performance on the field extraordinary, she goes down as one of the most inspirational athletes in school history, battling back from a foot injury to win the NAIA pole vault championship and qualify for the Olympic trials.
A two-time NAIA champion in the pole vault, Lesa originally came to Point Loma as a long jump/ triple jump/ heptathlete. Taking up the pole vault, she ended up setting a NAIA record in 1998 with a 14’ 2 ½” vault. In addition to her All-American awards in the pole vault, she won the GSAC triple jump title in 2000 and earned all-conference honors in the pole vault, triple jump, high jump and 100 meter hurdles. Lesa is in the Point Loma track and field record book with the all-time best pole vault (14’ 2 ½”) and is sixth best in both the high jump (5’ 4 ¼”) and triple jump (36’ 2 ¾”).
After graduation, Lesa married Peter Matrai. The couple reside in Gainesville, Florida. Lesa currently works for a company which assists in humanitarian efforts around the globe.
