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Nathaniel Lerch’s Growth Has Come From Strides Beyond PA Borders
In life, finding your stride can mean picking the right college major, finding the right partner, staying dedicated to a routine, or even dedicating money to save for the future. While there are so many things we can make strides in, they all cannot happen without getting used to being uncomfortable.
It’s a lot like the sport of running. It doesn’t feel good to put your body through the torture day after day to improve your speed, endurance, or quite frankly, your running “stride”. So, what if you were pushing your comfort zone in life and also in the sport of running at the same time?
Well, then you just might be named Nathaniel Lerch; a third-year distance runner for the Pepperdine University Waves of the West Coast Conference (WCC). A native of Clarion, Pennsylvania, Lerch was one of the top runners in the state of Pennsylvania in his senior year with the Bobcats.
He ended his senior cross country season with a District 9 championship to go with a Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference (KSAC) second place finish. In all, he was a four-time state qualifier in cross country and three-time KSAC MVP, and a two-time KSAC champion. He also added a KSAC MVP award in track and field in his junior season to go with a District 9 medal. Unfortunately, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he never had the opportunity to run his senior year of track and field just like nearly every high school senior.
Admittedly, Lerch said he was unsure what would happen with going to Pepperdine. He was unsure if he would still be welcomed to the team and if he would even go to campus in August like a normal freshman. However, there was nothing to worry about when it came to being a Wave. His spot on the team was secured, and in early August, he found out he would be allowed to come to Malibu and move in. Though, his moving into college experience was certainly anything but normal for a freshman.
Unfortunately, it has not quite been the only hurdle he’s overcome while at Pepperdine. He missed his first year of college cross country and overcame some nagging injuries, including a lingering stress fracture. Through these difficult times, it’s forced Lerch to turn to his faith more than ever, one reason why he liked Pepperdine among the various schools he was recruited by and visited. Notably, he said “The Christian campus attracted me the most,” in an interview with Pepperdine athletics.
It has not all been sour grapes when it comes to his time as a Wave as he’s been selected as a Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete as well as a WCC Commissioner’s Honor Roll Selection in each of his first two seasons. Not a bad start to his college career balancing high level athletics and the demands of being a STEM major.
So, we know Lerch is a great runner and is a man of faith, but these are just two of his many talents and interests. Lerch finished second in his graduating high school class while being involved in concert band, marching band, school musicals, choir, cross country, track and field, student government, and church groups. He always had amazing balance in his life, but with commitments to running upwards of 75 miles a week sometimes, some of his favorite pastimes have been put to the wayside at least for the time being.
Oh, and was it mentioned that he’s also studying biology and hopes to become a veterinarian? That may have something to do with a little less time these days as well. At this point, he’s unsure on where veterinarian school may take him, but there’s options both near his Clarion County roots as well as near his new home in California. Time will tell how that next chapter unfolds, ultimately.
For now, Lerch is focused on being a solid student-athlete and enjoying the breathtaking views at Pepperdine. One of the most scenic campuses in the world with an outlook of the Pacific Ocean and the Pacific Coast Highway, Lerch feels truly blessed to be able to continue both his academic and athletic interests at Pepperdine.
He’s thankful for people like his parents, Matt and Tammy Lerch, for laying a strong foundation for him and supporting all his endeavors over the years. Interestingly, Lerch is not the only accomplished runner in his family as his mother was a former college runner at Anderson University. Days at the track as a youngster watching his mom run fueled his interests and would eventually lead to some curiosity. Would he be any good and would this be a solid substitute for soccer? The answer is pretty obvious today.
Another one of his mentors has been Dr. Marcie Hoover DMV at the Clarion Animal Hospital. Not only has Hoover been a tremendous professional role model in his studies and work experience so far, but also in his running endeavors past his college days. Dr. Hoover showcased to him that it’s possible to have enough balance to be a successful vet and prepare to compete in Ironman races.
Lastly, Lerch has been able to meet such a wide variety of friends and teammates over the years from running and his various other extra curricular activities. These people have been the supporters he’s needed to continue to achieve high in so many different ways in his life.
Nathaniel Lerch shows small town Pennsylvanian’s that growth can come from leaving your roots for some time and venturing off to one of the furthest places possible in the United States. It’s been the breath of fresh air he’s needed to succeed and it has allowed him to hit his stride as a college runner and a future medical professional. Nathaniel Lerch is certainly a dreamer, and what he’s dreamed in a lot of ways has or is coming true.
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