Following a recent victory at his first national competition in Ottawa, a local teen, went on to earn a bronze medal at the Pan American Junior Championships in Edmonton.
Goldstone resident Nathaniel Mechler competed in his second major decathalon on July 31 and Aug. 1 at Foote Field, University of Alberta in Edmonton. Foote Field is known to athletes as “Track Town Canada” and is host to numerous international events because of its exceptional track and field facilities.
Mechler, 18, became interested in track and field as a student at Drayton Heights Public School. With encouragement from his teachers at Drayton Heights and later at Elmira District Secondary School, he pursued his dream of competing at the international level.
Mechler’s family plays a large role in his training. In addition to being some of his biggest fans, his father Roland, built a long jump pit in the backyard of their home. Paul Day, Mechler’s grandfather erected a high jump pit on his farm, next door. When not training on the farm, Mechler is a member of the First Attempts Jumps Academy in Waterloo.
“At the games I was given a world class Team Canada coach, whom I met upon my arrival in Edmonton. The whole coaching staff was fantastic. They welcomed me and encouraged my family to be part of the team. My coach in Waterloo had been in touch with the Team Canada coaches since my win in Ottawa,” Mechler said.
Decathlon competitors born in 1996 or later were eligible to compete at the junior Pan Am games. Mechler was the only 18-year-old competing in the decathlon. His rival competitors from the United States and Brazil were one year older. Mechler ended the two-day competition with personal bests in five events.
“I need to improve in the shot put and high jump, as I under-performed in these two events. Over the next year my training will focus on building up strength and becoming more fit. The highlight of the two days was the 1500m,” Mechler said.
In the 1500m race, Mechler had a strong start, set a fast pace and was only challenged by one U.S. competitor near the end of the race. A confident Mechler picked up speed and easily defeated his nearest opponent. To win the bronze he needed to beat his Brazilian opponent by 20 seconds, which he had no difficulty doing.
“Nathaniel asked me how much time he needed to beat his opponents by to win the bronze,” Roland Mechler said in a telephone interview with the Advertiser. “I told him 20 seconds. His reply was, I can do it. When he finished the race, the clock stopped working. We had no idea sitting in the stands if he had won or not until we saw him raise his arms in victory.”
Family members around the world shed tears of joy that day for Mechler, knowing the challenges he had faced. Overcoming migraines, physical injuries and the stress of clubs not believing in him or his abilities, placed a tremendous amount of pressure on Mechler.
Over the last two years he has developed the confidence and mental strength needed to compete at the international level. Endless hours of training, mental preparation and solid performances over the two day event, including the gutsy performance in the 1500m race, placed Mechler on the podium wearing a bronze medal.
In his first ever interview after the 1500m race with Perdita Felicien, CBC Sports reporter and former Canadian, World and Olympic hurdler, Mechler was asked how he felt. His one-word answer was “tired.”
Typically most decathlon competitors who reach the podium have at least 12-15 competitions behind them. Mechler had two. Representatives from major American colleges present at the games have shown an interest in Mechler.
In a text received from Mechler, who is taking a well deserved vacation overseas with family and friends, the athlete wrote that the competition was a great experience.
“I missed setting Canadian records but my goals are to improve my performances and win the World Juniors in Russia in 2016. I am thankful for my family, friends and the Good Lord who are there with me on this amazing journey.”
