I don't need 20/20 hindsight to know the Boys 2020 Cross Country team was special. They were undefeated while winning both the Patriot League title and the Patriot League Championship meet. League MVP, Theo Kamperides, along with fellow Senior Captains Liam Cafferty and Chris MacDonald led the way, supported by a pretty fair group of kids which included Juniors Nathan Tassey and Gordon Johnson and up and coming Freshmen Logan Bourgelas and Gavin McCarthy. An outstanding group of terrific young men and incredible athletes. You've probably heard me say many times that my favorite moment from the 2020 season was seeing Gordon Johnson come through the driveway gate in position to seal a victory over a very good, and undefeated to that point, Marshfield team. Then watching Gordie drive it home over the last 400 Meters to lock up the win and the League title. Classic. But something most people haven't heard about is another pivotal moment earlier in the day, without which none of those accomplishments would have been possible. Something equally as memorable in retrospect.
When I arrived at the field to set up for the 2020 Marshfield meet, I was told by several of the athletes Nathan Tassey had gone home after school, an early dismissal day, and was sick. He was headed right to bed and none of the other boys had heard from him. It looked and sounded like Nathan would be unable to compete. It wasn't easy trying to convince the other boys that they could still win if each of them ran to his ability. It was equally difficult trying to convince myself. But after setting up the course and getting the boys to start their warmup, Nathan appeared, walking across the field toward us. From afar, I thought he looked ill. He sauntered along, finally jumping into the warmup and when I asked if he could run and how he felt, he insisted he could and that he felt well "enough." Actually, his precise response was, "No, I'm OK, Coach." He had taken a long nap and he felt that may have helped some, but he did not exactly exude enormous confidence. His customary smile wasn't there, and he didn't have much more to say, but he was in uniform, ready to give it the old college try. Ready indeed! Nathan exceeded expectations that day, finishing 5th overall, and 3rd for the team. He looked incredibly strong in doing so, and that familiar smile was a mile wide after he crossed the finish line. Helped greatly by his finish, the boys completed a close 26-29 win over Marshfield to close out the season. They could not have done it without him. Nathan would go on to be a team Captain, Patriot League All-Star, Enterprise All-Scholastic and team MVP the following year. All hard-earned and well deserved. I look back on Nathan's days with us in XC and Track and Field with a smile similar to Nathan's after completing his race that day. I'll always remember Nathan as a terrific runner, a respectful and incredibly humorous kid, and just a joy to have on the team. A wonderfully unique young man. But even with all the accolades gained through a stellar high school career, it would be difficult to imagine college performances that would eclipse those Nathan provided us at WHRHS. Yet Nathan has done just that. Resoundingly. And then some. The following links provide the details of Nathan's FIRST THREE COLLEGE RACES!!! (Better their words than mine.) Just an incredible start of what I know will be a masterful college career and no doubt a lifetime of good health and fitness. THANK YOU, Nathan! We are all watching and cheering you on!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment