Junior Nate Endicott has been running with the Portland State cross country team since 2006. After a standout prep career at Thurston High in Springfield, Endicott has prospered in the South Park Blocks. In both of the team’s races this season, Endicott has been the top finisher from Portland State, and in their most recent meet Endicott finished sixth in the 8k race with a time just under 26 minutes. Recently the Vanguard got Endicott to slow down to answer a few questions.
Spotlight: Athlete of the week
Junior Nate Endicott has been running with the Portland State cross country team since 2006. After a standout prep career at Thurston High in Springfield, Endicott has prospered in the South Park Blocks.In both of the team’s races this season, Endicott has been the top finisher from Portland State, and in their most recent meet Endicott finished sixth in the 8k race with a time just under 26 minutes.
Recently the Vanguard got Endicott to slow down to answer a few questions.
Tom Sedun: Why did you come to PSU?Nate Endicott: Coach Matt Burrows made me excited about the program. Also PSU offered engineering as a major and I wanted to stay in state.
T.S.: What has been your best athletic moment so far at PSU? N.E.: It was last season running in the 3k steeplechase which involved running through a water pit. My finish time was the fifth fastest for PSU all time.
T.S.: What is your greatest strength? N.E.: Being a strong long-distance runner.
T.S.: Which is your favorite place to eat around campus? N.E.: Loco Locos. The breakfast burrito is bomb.
T.S.: What is your favorite thing to do around Portland? N.E.: When running with friends we like to jump some of the different fountains. We call it “man challenges.”
T.S.: What is the first item that you would buy if you won the lottery? N.E.: An underwater treadmill.
T.S.: What is your most embarrassing athletic moment? N.E.: It happened during my senior year of high school. Our team was traveling to the district meet, and our coach was trying to get us focused for the meet. After his speech, I hacked a loogie out of the bus window and it bounced back inside and hit a girl right in the face. The worst part about it is that this girl liked me.
T.S.: Do you have any hidden talents? N.E.: Archery/bow-hunting.
T.S.: What was the last thing you cooked? N.E.: Spaghetti with chicken.
T.S.: If you could attend one concert or sporting event what would it be? N.E.: The Olympics; I have never been to a concert.
T.S.: What has been your favorite class at PSU? N.E.: All my classes have been challenging. I did enjoy sitting in with a yoga class. I found it to be very relaxing.
T.S.: What’s on your iPod right now? N.E.: Coldplay and Jack Johnson
T.S.: If you could have dinner with three people from history, which people would you choose? N.E.: Thomas Jefferson. I became interested in him ever since I did a report on him in the third grade. Spider-Man because I am going to be him this year for Halloween, and Steve Prefontaine.
T.S.: What is the one thing that you think about in the middle of a race? N.E.: Just run the race and get through it.
T.S.: What is your personal goal for yourself this season? N.E.: To make all conference in the steeple race.
T.S.: If you weren’t running cross country, what would you be playing?N.E.: Basketball. I played in high school.
T.S.: What job would you like to have one day?N.E.: Civil Engineer.
Q: Do you read the Vanguard? If so, how often?A: I’ll read it whenever a friend has a copy. On average, I’ll read it about once a week.
Endicott and the rest of the cross country team will compete in the Charles Bowles Invitational, hosted by Willamette University, in Salem on October 4.
