Nate Veldt is a senior on the men's cross country team. Below is a brief interview with Nate.
Q: What is your major?
A: Mathematics
Q: What (if any) plans do you have after graduation?
A: I’m currently in the process of applying to graduate programs in mathematics. I’ve enjoyed my major enough so that I’d like to keep studying math for a few more years. Most applications aren’t due for another few months, so it’ll be a while until I hear back from schools and decide where I’d like to go. The plan would be to start up next fall though.
Q: Why did you choose to attend Wheaton and run cross country?
A: I knew I wanted to run cross-country and track in college regardless of where I ended up. The team at Wheaton was really one of the biggest factors that drew me to come here. My senior year of high school I came on a recruiting visit and was very impressed with what I saw from both the math department and the cross-country team. Two people that were very influential in my decision were Coach Bradley, and Dr. Perciante of the math department. After meeting and speaking to each of them on my visit, I could tell that Wheaton would be a great place for me to pursue Christ through my academic and athletic interests.
Q: What do you enjoy most about Wheaton?
A: Running with the team is one of the most exciting things I’ve been able to do during my time here. That said, I think it has also been the most challenging. While I have thoroughly enjoyed and been challenged by my classes, few things have compared to the adrenaline, excitement, and nerves involved in stepping up to the starting line of a race and waiting for the gun to go off. Facing those nerves and battling through those races with an amazing team of close friends, under the guidance of godly and caring coaches, is what I’m going to miss the most when I move on after Wheaton.
Q: What is your favorite cross country memory so far in your time at Wheaton?
A: Making it to cross country nationals last year as a team is a huge highlight. Though I was not a part of our top seven runners who competed at our regional meet, I had the privilege of traveling with the team as first alternate. This gave me a front row seat to watch as our men’s team earned their way to compete at the national meet for the fifth time in Wheaton’s history.
