Nathan Schrimsher (Q&A - Jan. 2010)
Nathan Schrimsher, 17, of Roswell, N.M., placed third last month at the Youth Olympic Games Qualification Event in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He also won gold at the 2009 USA National Championships Youth A competition, silver at the NORCECA Youth A Championships, and bronze in the World Youth A Championships relay event.
Nathan answered the following 10 questions for this month's Athlete Profile...
Q1: Who is a superhero you'd like to be, and why?
NATHAN SCHRIMSHER: Spider Man! To be like Spider Man would be a blast! His skills would really come in handy for the combined portion of Modern Pentathlon, and it would be great to catch a few bad guys at the same time. Having a built-in weapon from the wrist would also help a lot in getting through airport security, because I wouldn't have to pack an air pistol. At competitions I could use the old "wrist web shot" to knock down the targets, provided that this technique could be UIPM approved, of course.
Q2: What's your dream vacation?
NATHAN SCHRIMSHER: Awhh, since I live in the desert, I tend to dream of tropical locations like the Bahamas or Hawaii. I would like to learn how to surf.
Q3: Who is a teammate who has had an influence on you, and why?
NATHAN SCHRIMSHER: My brother Lucas has the most influence on me. One reason is because he is my competitor, so he pushes me. If I don't feel like running, but see him start out, I'm pressed in a good way to join him. He influences me the most because we are each other's biggest cheerleaders.
Q4: What unique qualities make you different from your brother Lucas?
NATHAN SCHRIMSHER: Lucas and I can be a lot alike, but we are very different in many ways. I think we complement each other well. Lucas is headstrong and likes to run full speed ahead into new circumstances and adventures. He tends to jump into situations without putting much thought behind it, whereas, I am more meticulous and like to think things through. Without Luke's autonomy, we might never even get started down the course, but without me, we would likely be heading the wrong direction.
Q5: If you could land a role in any movie, what movie would you like to appear in and who would be your dream co-star?
NATHAN SCHRIMSHER: It would be fun to play Max in the movie "Get Smart" with agent 21 as my own personal co-star. You just have to love this guy, Max! Everyone is laughing at him because he's the underdog in everyway, but he doesn't let that bother him. If fact, he doesn't even realize it. He just keeps pressing forward as if he can overcome anything, and sure enough, he ends up saving the world and winning the girl in the process.
Q6: What, if anything, have you learned about yourself in the past year?
NATHAN SCHRIMSHER: This is a deep question. Pentathlon is a huge part of my life and I believe that it is teaching me and shaping me in ways that I've yet to discover, especially in the area of perseverance. However, it is not where I place my identity. In other words, I am ever aware that pentathlon is fragile. Life is fragile. A sprained ankle, a fever, a crazy ride and everything can change in an instant. As a Christian, I am learning to run the race of life in such a way that I place my identity in God instead of my own undertakings. In the real life movie "Chariots of Fire," Eric Liddell, was faced with a comparable question, and he made this terrific statement, "I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure." That's what I'm trying to say. I am learning that I want pentathlon, and everything else I do, to be done in such a way that my priority is not to win a medal as much as it is to "feel God's pleasure." If I can maintain this perspective, then everything else falls into place just the way it is supposed to.
Q7: Do you have a favorite pre-competition meal?
NATHAN SCHRIMSHER: Sushi, if I can find it. Sometimes it's hard to find a good, easy to digest, meal the night before, so just in case, I try to never travel without my Pop Tarts, Twinkies, and Arizona green tea.
Q8: What do you want to do after your competitive modern pentathlon days are over?
NATHAN SCHRIMSHER: As long as I'm physically able, I hope that pentathlon will never be entirely "over." The fencing portion, especially, is really a lifetime sport. I fenced a man months ago at a tournament that was well into his 70's...he beat me. Right now I am really enjoying pentathlon. I love competing, experiencing different cultures, and making friends from all over the world. I have the coolest pentathlon friends on earth and I have a feeling that time won't erase those unique ties. So, right now I'm doing what I have set for today, and the future is tomorrow and I will deal with it accordingly.
Q9: What are your plans for 2010?
NATHAN SCHRIMSHER: Well, I've had 2010 on my calendar for a long time. I have dreamed about the Youth Olympic Games to be held in Singapore in 2010. I knew that it would be a long shot both to qualify, and for the politics to open a spot for me, even if I did. I qualified in Argentina, and now I can't help but hope that the people at the USOC, who make all the important decisions regarding such things, will try to squeeze me in. If it should happen, then great, but if it doesn't, then that's OK too. I'm looking forward to 2010 just like I look forward to each new day. The New Year presents brand new opportunities to move forward, to grow a little, learn a little, and hopefully follow through with whatever God has planned for me... just one day at a time.
Q10: Is there any specific regimen you have added to your training in the last year?
NATHAN SCHRIMSHER: Horses. It's time for me to start moving up to the junior level competition, which requires jumping. I grew up on a ranch and have ridden "cowboy style" all my life, but equestrian jumping is way different for sure and a whole new addition to my training.
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