Nathan Nordwald continued his impressive high school running career with a first-place finish in the Class 3, District 4 meet Saturday. The Warrenton sophomore finished in 17 minutes, 12.6 seconds, …
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Nathan Nordwald continued his impressive high school running career with a first-place finish in the Class 3, District 4 meet Saturday.
The Warrenton sophomore finished in 17 minutes, 12.6 seconds, beating St. Charles’ Wilson Rosner by 24 seconds.
“I was definitely aiming for first place, but we have a lot of fast runners in our district so I knew it was going to be a tough race no matter what,” Nordwald said. “Running at the home track definitely gave me an advantage.”
The win punched Nordwald’s ticket to the Class 3 state meet in Jefferson City Saturday, his second straight appearance.
He finished 131st at the state meet last season, running the course in 18:54.10.
His coach hopes he can shave a considerable amount of time off this year.
“I think he can be in the low 17s,” Head Coach Jeremy Collins said. “And if he’s in the low 17s, he’ll probably be in the top 25, and the top 25 medal. That’s definitely a possibility.”
Nordwald set his personal-best time of 16:32 earlier this season at Orchard Farm, but realizes the unique challenges at the state race in Jefferson City’s Oak Hills Golf Course.
Whether it be the number of competitors, the level of competition or just the toughness of the course, many times are inflated in Jefferson City.
Nordwald has also battled a knee injury this fall.
“Hopefully I can stay healthy this week and keep my legs working so I can try to place as high as I can at state,” he said. “My knees were a little sore in the middle of the season, but I was able to freshen up before districts so I should be good now.”
Collins said last year’s experience will only help Nordwald Saturday.
“He’s building on last year and has that experience, and I think he can do well this year if he doesn’t let this race get to him," Collins said. “He’ll have to run tough, but he’s a tough kid and I think he can do it. He’s really learning how to run a 5k, and he’s become mentally tough and physically tough.”
Nordwald agreed.
“I think last year will help me a lot,” he said. “Last year I treated the state meet like it was a big meet and I almost over-hyped it. Now I can treat it like just another meet and run as hard as I can, hopefully.”
.BEST IN DISTRICT — Nathan Nordwald finishes up his district race Saturday at Warrenton. Nordwald won with a time of 17 minutes, 12.6 seconds. Derrick Forsythe photo.
