小蝌蚪APP

South Grad Competes in Paralympic Games

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Posted on September 9, 2021

Thomas Becnel

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Note: Nate Riech won a gold medal on Saturday, Sept. 4., in the 1,500-meter run at the Tokyo Paralympic Games. This story was published prior to the competition. 

After a childhood accident left Nate Riech partially paralyzed on his right side, running became his therapy, his sport and his passion.

He competed for the team at the 小蝌蚪APP in 2015-16, then prepared to find a new focus for his competitive spirit.

鈥淚 thought I was going to be out of sport, but then this opportunity came up in the Paralympics,鈥� said Riech, 26. 鈥淢y mom said, 鈥楲ook, there鈥檚 this racing classification that鈥檚 perfect for you,鈥� and I got thrown into that, and I got to do all this media, which is something I love doing.鈥�

He began competing in the T38 classification for athletes with an impairment that results in lack of control and coordination in one or more limbs. He has won the 1,500 meters and set world records in the Pan Am Games and World Championships.

On Sept. 3 and 4, Riech will compete at the 2020 Summer Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

He hopes to run his races in 3 minutes and 45 seconds. He hopes to set another world record. He hopes to win a gold medal and serve as a role model for all of the disabled youths who dream of competing one day.

鈥淚鈥檓 very passionate about working with kids growing up with a disability or a traumatic brain injury like the one I suffered,鈥� Riech said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 one of reasons I went to South, because they had a . I love to volunteer at children鈥檚 hospitals because I know what it鈥檚 like to not feel normal, and when you鈥檙e a kid, that鈥檚 not something you want to do.鈥�

Paul Brueske, the South head coach of track and field, isn鈥檛 surprised Riech is still racing.

鈥淗e鈥檚 overcome so much in his life,鈥� Brueske said. 鈥淚t hasn鈥檛 been easy for him, but he never gives up, and you always like to see a person like him succeed. We鈥檙e always happy to see our athletes continuing to be successful.鈥�

Riech studied communications at South before earning a 2017 degree in interdisciplinary studies. His best finish on the track was third place in the indoor mile at the Sun Belt Conference Championships. He also won meets as part of distance medley relay teams.

He was a popular athlete in Mobile. Jaguar runners used to tease him about the huge blender he used to mix kale smoothies. He was part of a group that played golf and watched college football on weekends.

Katleho Dyoyi, a former track athlete at South, used to work out with Reich. They shared dozens of training sessions. He remembers Riech as a good runner and a better teammate.

鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 just about himself,鈥� Dyoyi said. 鈥淗e was about enjoying the moment with everyone. He always had a heart for people. He was someone who embraced teamwork, someone who was reliable, someone who would join you anytime just to make sure you were doing well.鈥�

Honoring Sacrifices

Reich, who has dual citizenship, will represent Canada in the 2020 Paralympic Games.

He wanted to honor the sacrifices of his mother, Ardin Tucker, who competed in the pole vault at the national level in Canada. His father, Todd Reich, threw the javelin for the United States at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. His stepfather, Ben Tucker, played baseball in the San Francisco Giants organization.

Now Riech lives in Victoria, Canada, near Vancouver. He trains at a Canadian Sport Institute. He races against able-bodied runners whenever he can.

As a boy growing up in Arizona, outside Phoenix, Riech was a baseball fan who enjoyed different sports. At the age of 10, he was struck in the back of the head by a golf ball while playing with friends. The impact caused him to have a seizure and left him partially paralyzed, unable to control the right side of his body.

鈥淭he doctor at the time told me I鈥檇 never walk without a limp, and I鈥檇 never play competitive sports, so I probably shouldn鈥檛 even try,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ow, I still have that hole in my head, and it controls my whole right side, so my recovery profile is definitely delayed. You learn how to train with what you have. I do a lot of corrective work, work on my movement, planes of motion, neuromuscular stretching.鈥�

Riech鈥檚 right arm remains weak and less coordinated. His right leg is weaker, too, though it鈥檚 hard to notice as he speeds around an oval.

鈥淭rack and field people notice more than most people,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y posture is off and I twist a lot. My core is weaker on one side.鈥�

After growing up in Arizona, Riech didn鈥檛 mind the heat and humidity of Mobile. At South, he lived in an apartment across the street from the baseball stadium, where he cheered for the Jaguars.

These days, when he鈥檚 not running, he likes to play golf.

鈥淚鈥檓 horrible, to be sure, but I love getting out there,鈥� he says. 鈥淎nd I appreciate the mental aspect of the game.鈥�

Riech still enjoys competing, public speaking and promoting the Paralympics in Canada. He鈥檚 doing Instagram videos and different forms of social media from Japan.

Running remains his therapy, his sport and his passion.

鈥淚鈥檝e always thought my injury was the best thing that ever happened to me,鈥� Riech said. 鈥淚t taught me how to be competitive, because I never wanted to be limited. I鈥檝e tried to use my injury and disability as an advantage in my career.鈥�

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