One of the first people Gauntlet Sports Editors have met in the past few years isn’t someone you’d expect. While various coaches and members of Dinos Athletics tend to familiarize themselves with the new media moguls, there has been one athlete who ensures his team and his sport are always on the Gauntlet’s radar.
His name? Nathan Kendrick.
Kendrick, a fifth-year member of the Dinos cross country and track and field teams, has always been a tireless promoter of both squads–teams that all too often get lost in the shuffle at the paper. Beginning in September of every year, Kendrick stays in near constant e-mail contact, letting the paper know when there are meets and submitting results and photos almost religiously in the days following each competition.
To top it all off, he’s also a three-year captain on both teams.
"He’s not a ‘ra-ra’ type," explains Dinos Head Coach Doug Lamont, who is also Kendrick’s personal coach. "He leads by example with his work ethic and persistence. That example will certainly be missed."
While it will certainly be missed in the years to come, it has been a driving force in years past and this season was no different. A consistent performer at the conference and national levels, Kendrick took home a silver medal at cross country nationals, finishing ahead of 2003 Canadian Interuniversity Sport Male Athlete of the Year, Ryan McKenzie.
While Kendrick will undoubtedly train on campus for years to come, his leadership, his dedication to his teams and his gutsy performances truly set him apart as an outstanding Dino and an outstanding leader.