Nathan Corder:
11/12/2008 12:00:00 AM
Nov. 12, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Freshman Nathan Corder is a solid athlete out of Ohio, but was recruited to come to The University of Alabama by the academic recruiting office. Corder was a National Merit Scholar and was recruited by many of the top academic schools around the nation. However, Alabama was persistent enough to convince him to at least make a visit to Tuscaloosa.
"I was dead set on going to a top-ten academic school, and if I had to run in order to make that dream come true, I would," Corder said. "As a National Merit Scholar, I had many schools offering me academic opportunities. I don't think any other school could offer me the same academic and athletic opportunity Alabama has poured onto me. I am so grateful to be here."
Corder does get to run for the Crimson Tide, a team that happens to be the No. 5 team in the country. Not only is he continuing to run in college, but he is doing so at the Division 1 level in the SEC and has helped the squad retain its ranking as he has been one of the top eight runners all season.
Corder does not take this opportunity for granted and is grateful for the privilege to compete with this team. One of his favorite quotes came from a clerk at shoe store who said "I'm chasing zero."
The true freshman competed at the SEC Championships and helped the team bring home the team title, it's first since 1973.
"I'm a true freshmen running on the fifth best team in the nation," Corder said. "I get to chase warriors every day at practice. It's hard to go much higher than that."
Corder is the alternate for the NCAA South Regional this weekend as the team can only compete seven runners in the meet. Whether he gets to run in Knoxville, Tenn. this weekend or not, one thing is certain, he'll be learning of how to get there next year by modeling himself after those in front of him.
"I model myself after the person in front of me, whoever it is. They know something I don't," Corder said. "They are doing something I'm not. They have something I lack. If I'm going to be the best runner I can, I have to learn from every person I chase so that I can get ahead."
The Tide will look for their second straight NCAA South Region title and mark one more accomplishment off the list for the 2008 season this weekend on Nov. 15.
