Get To Know U: Nathan Kuck
Get to Know U is a series that introduces the members of the Miami Hurricanes track and field and cross country programs.
In the last edition, we met freshman sprinter Symone Mason The latest Get to Know U highlights graduate transfer distance runner Nathan Kuck.
Athlete Name: Nathan Kuck
Year in School: Graduate
Major: Physical Therapy
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Q&A
1. Why did you decide to attend the University of Miami?
“The University has an elite doctorate in physical therapy program, ranking in the top 10 in the nation. When I was accepted into the program, I reached out to Coach Damon Griffiths to continue my athletic career, with the hopes to achieve some unfinished personal goals and help the distance program in track and cross country continue to improve and progress towards team goals.”
2. What was the best aspect of being part of Miami’s Track & Field teams so far?
“All the opportunities and facilities available to Miami student-athletes has been surprising coming from a smaller Division 1 university. However, those are just added benefits to being able continue my athletic career and pursue my personal goals one more year after having an injury-shortened senior season at Bowling Green.”
3. What are some of your goals for the season?
“Personally, I have aspirations to earn a spot on the all-conference and all-region teams for the first time in my collegiate career. In doing so, I hope to lower my personal best times in the 8k and 10k substantially. I would also like to help the team move up in place at the conference and regional meets and do my part to leave the program in a better place when my eligibility runs out.”
4. What do you feel was the biggest challenge you came across in since your arrival?
“Balancing a doctorate-level program and practicing/competing during the cross country season has been significantly more difficult than it when I was an undergraduate. Trying to balance multiple practices, 8 hours of class each day, studying, recovery, and sleep has been difficult at times, but Coach Griffiths and my professors have been amazing at accommodating both schedules and easing the load throughout the semester so far.”
5. What is the biggest difference between your previous training and your training at the University of Miami?
“Northern Ohio and Southern Florida could not be more different in climate; that being said, adjusting to the heat and humidity of Miami has made training difficult at times, particularly over the summer.”
6. What do you do to prepare right before a meet?
“I like to listen to relaxing, mellow music to calm myself down before heading to the line for the race. A lot of people like to listen to upbeat music to hype themselves up, but I’ve found that slowing it down has helped calm the nerves and get me mentally prepared to race.”
7. What do you do away from practice and studying to relax?
“Anything outdoors when the weather is nice; I love going to the beach, playing pick up sports with friends, kayaking, finding a good place to lounge in a hammock, etc. I also enjoy reading, watching movies/tv shows, and cooking.”
8. Name three words to describe you and why?
Laid back: I’m always joking around and trying to lighten the mood and relieve stress
Active: aside from running, I’m always looking to do something active outdoors
Ambitious: there are a lot of goals/events I want to accomplish post-collegiate; I want to run all the major marathons in the US, complete an Iron Man, bike across the US, and eventually mountain climb. I also have a lot of ambitious career goals in physical therapy, eventually hoping to work for a major university or professional sports team.
Fill in the Blank
Coral Gables is different from my hometown because: Weather for sure, but there’s also a little more to do in Miami than Cincinnati
Favorite Movie: Moneyball
Favorite TV Show: Game of Thrones
Favorite Music Artist: Avett Brothers
Favorite Meal: Fish tacos
Interesting fact about me: I played soccer for 13 years growing up, and I still follow it avidly
