Nathaniel Gale '22 Recruiting Profile

Cross country and track are the most important things in my life. I ran my first trail race at age 12 and quickly fell in love with everything about running. Being part of my school's track and cross-country teams has helped me grow as a person and taught me valuable leadership skills. I have made many lasting friendships through these teams. I believe it's important to give back to the sports that have given me so much, so I have served as a volunteer coach for elementary and middle school distance runners for the past three years, which was very fun and rewarding.  I love helping younger kids discover the joy of running. I plan to continue with volunteer coaching in my senior year.

I attend a small, rural high school in an unpopulated state so there are not a whole lot of resources available to me. My school doesn't even have a real track, just a dirt one full of rocks and pot-holes. It is up to me to be self-motivated and to get out and run the local roads and trails by myself every day. This has taught me discipline and self-reliance. I know I have to push myself if I want to be the best. No one else can do it for me.  I am the top varsity distance runner on my high school track team as well as the cross country team and I know this has everything to do with my strong inner purpose and my deep love of running. 

Athletic ability matters but ultimately, running is about character. It's about who is committed  and dedicated enough to put in the miles, even when it's a freezing cold Montana winter morning and you would rather stay in bed.  I pay close attention to my coach's advice and my record of consistent improvement this past track season tells the story.  I placed third in both of my events (1600m and 3200m) at the state finals last week. For my senior year, next year, my goals are to win the state championship in both events and to break our school records. I know I can accomplish these things because out of all the high school runners you'll meet, I can guarantee that I am the most determined. I run with my whole heart.