Posted 4/13/06
UW-Platteville's Nate Richardson is a Platteville native who chose to stay in town and run track and field for the Pioneers. The junior competes Friday at the North Central Invitational in Naperville, Ill.
You've had a few injuries this year. What happened, and how are you doing?
"Halfway through the indoor season, I sprained my ankle while warming up for a race. After that, I just iced it in the training room at Stevens Point and kept it elevated. I did rehab for two weeks and did not run on it. After that, I slowly built back into the running with easy runs. I'm at 100 percent now, and the ankle feels good."
What kinds of goals do you have now that you're healthy?
"I'd like to place in the top four in conference in the 800. If we can put together a pretty good 4x800 relay team, I'd like us to place first or second in that. Hopefully, I can provisionally qualify for nationals."
What do you need for the provisional mark? And what has been your top time?
"1:53.5 is the provo time. My indoor time is 1:55.7, and the outdoor is 1:56.9."
What kinds of things do you have to do to get down to that time?
"I think my training is there, and now I have to get into a good race with faster people to pull me along."
When you race, do you like to lead or come on at the end? What is your strategy?
"I like to be in the top half or third in the pack and then kick in pretty hard the last 200 meters."
What has been your career highlight?
"My freshman year, I placed eighth in the conference and set my p.r. (personal record). That was a good beginning."
Let's go back to your beginnings here. What made you decide to stay in town?
"I originally thought of going to UW-La Crosse for the therapy program and then I was going to transfer there after one year here. I just liked it here and decided to stay."
Is it nice to compete here, where your family and friends can see you?
"It is nice because my family is here and my grandparents live in Platteville. It's been good to have them at our meets."
Interview by SID Paul Erickson