Grantham, PA - The Messiah College men's cross country team finished first place at the Messiah Invitational this weekend. The dynamic duo, twin brothers Nate and Josh Pardoe, helped the Falcons earn the honor. Nate finished second for Messiah, third overall, with a time of 27:33.41, while brother Josh finished ninth for Messiah and 19th overall with a time of 28:29.03. The Falcons are back in action this Saturday as they compete in the Salisbury Invitational.
We got together with Nate and Josh to talk more about their Messiah College experience in this edition of #WhyMessiah
What are the names of your family and where do you fall among siblings?
Josh: My parents are David and Cheryl and Nate is my older brother.
Nate: I am the oldest but just by a mere one minute!
Why did you come to Messiah and/or why do you love being at Messiah?
Josh: I love being at Messiah because there is an atmosphere and community that strives to be a part of something larger than your self.
Nate: I chose Messiah because I felt that it was the place I could be myself. Everyone here is so invested in forming meaningful relationships with those around them, looking past all the differences.
You are both engineering majors here at Messiah. What led you both to choose that specific area of study?
Josh: Growing up I enjoyed math and physics and like problem solving, particularly engineering questions. I have enjoyed engineering and even though it has been challenging, the challenge makes it memorable.
Nate: I chose engineering because I really enjoyed math and physics in high school and I wanted to understand how all of the gadgets around me worked. Engineering at Messiah allows me to use my problem solving skills to design and create products that can help others in need through organizations like the Collaboratory. It is tough at times but I have enjoyed it.
If you could have dinner with one person in history, who would it be and why?
Josh: I would have dinner with George Washington to see what he would think of American society today.
Nate: I would have dinner with Benjamin Franklin. I am fascinated with how was able to make significant contributions to the scientific community, politics, music, and news. I would ask him which trade he liked the most and how he managed all of it is so well.
How do you balance your academic and work and your commitment to your sport?
Josh: I focus all of my effort on school when it is time for school, and on running when it is time for running.
Nate: Time management is critical to managing both schoolwork and athletics. I try to get as much of my homework done in between classes so that my evenings are less hectic. I mentally map out how long assignments should take in order to make a schedule that fits everything in.
Who has influenced your life and why?
Josh: My brother has influenced me the most because he pushes me to do my best in everything I do.
Nate: My brother Josh has influenced me the most. For my entire life he has been there to push me to be the best that I can be while picking me up when I fail.
What is the one thing about your coach that those outside your team may not know?
Josh: Coach Fogelsanger loves Cracker Barrel.
Nate: He has been to all 50 states.
What is special about your coaching staff and teammates, and how would you explain that to a recruit or someone outside the program?
Josh: My Messiah teammates are different because they are selfless and care more about their teammates performances than their own in all aspects of life on campus. My coaches combine the perfect blend of pushing athletes to achieve their potential and relating to them on a personal level.
Nate: The coaches care about making us better people on a spiritual and academic level as well as athletically. My teammates and I are hard workers and we are always looking to improve in any way we can.
What is one of your favorite team traditions and why?
Josh: My favorite team tradition is "Lottie team table" because the fellowship with the team day in and day out is what gets me through the busy academic and athletic schedule.
Nate: The cross country teams have a special t-shirt they give out to a member on the team that had an exceptional meet over the weekend. The shirt is usually too big, small, or just weird and that person has to wear it to practice for the entire week. It is a goofy tradition that really brings the team closer and helps to keep the spirits high.
What is it like having the opportunity to run cross country in college with your brother?
Josh: I enjoy running with my brother because we have been competing together for so long that we know each other's weaknesses and strengths, which helps in training and racing.
Nate: I feel really blessed to be able to train with Josh throughout college. He helps me to get out the door and run the workouts when I don't feel up to running and I motivate him to run when he doesn't want to.
Any funny stories /memories you would like to share from your childhood growing up together or running together?
Josh: In high school track my parents would hear people from the opposing teams feel sorry for us because they thought we were one person running a ton of races in one meet.
Nate: There was this one time when Josh and I raced each other in the 100-meter dash at our sixth-grade elementary school track and field day. It was a close race and when we crossed the line our teachers didn't know who won. Our mom was at the finish so they had to ask her and she was like, Josh! To this day I still believe I won, although that isn't that important.
What is the toughest part of being a collegiate student-athlete? How do you live or grow through this at Messiah?
Josh: The toughest part about being a student-athlete is coming to practice late or working out by myself due to lab conflicts during practice time. I have grown through this by learning to push the limits of my body on my own so when I am competing with others it is easier to find the extra gear.
Nate: Fitting everything into my schedule is the most difficult part of being a student-athlete. It is important to focus on practice and my studies but also important that I enjoy and take advantage of all of the opportunities Messiah has to offer. I have realized that life is about the journeys as mush as it is about the destination. With the support from my friends and teammates I can get through any obstacle.
What advice would you give to younger student-athletes looking to play a sport in college?
Josh: Don't let the fear of a busy schedule deter you from participating as you may surprise yourself with how much you can handle. Also, trust the coaches, training, and success will come.
Nate: It is important to listen to your body. College training is tough and you have to know when to back off at times in order to avoid getting injured. Communicate any injuries or other struggles with the coaches so that the right steps can be taken to help fix the problem.
If you had to answer the questions #WhyMessiah what would you say?
Josh: The fellowship through fun times and the hard times will create a bond that last forever.
Nate: Everyone invests in forming meaningful relationships that will last a lifetime. You can get a superb individualized education while being part of something larger than yourself at the same time.
