JEFF FIELDER Editor
TORRINGTON – Nathaniel Woodruff, a senior on Torrington High School’s track and field team, has been named the Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance Male Athlete of the Week. Woodruff has enjoyed a solid start to this season, including placing first in the shot put (49-11) at Thursday’s Mitchell Invite. His personal best in the shot put is 50-5 1/2. He also competes in the discus. Woodruff, who also excelled as a lineman for the Blazers’ football team, has committed to play football at Dickinson State University in Dickinson, North Dakota. His parents are Nathaniel Woodruff Sr. and Nancy Woodruff.
Q: Were you pleased with your performance in the Mitchell Invite?
WOODRUFF: “Well, the ring was really slick, so considering that, I thought I did really well. It helped that it was a nice day, and all the teams in the meet were good to compete against.”
Q: What are your goals for this season?
WOODRUFF: “I’m hoping to win state in the shot put. I would like to throw about 55 feet. In the discus, I’m hoping to keep improving my distance.”
Q: Talk about your state meet experience in track and field.
WOODRUFF: “I’ve gone to state the last two years in the shot put. I got second last year behind a senior, so I think I should have a good chance to move up this year.”
Q: How do you feel this season compared to last season?
WOODRUFF: “I definitely feel stronger than I did last year.”
Q: Which one do you like better – the shot put or the discus?
WOODRUFF: “I used to like the discus more, but now that I’m stronger and my footwork is better, I like shot put better.”
Q: Have you always competed in the shot put and discus?
WOODRUFF: “Yes, ever since seventh grade. My father [Nathaniel Woodruff Sr.] competed, so he’s taught me a lot. He won the shot put and discus his senior year in high school. He went to Torrington, too.”
Q: How much has that motivated you – trying to duplicate your father’s feat?
WOODRUFF: “It’s motivated me a lot. I always wanted to be like him. We have some old home videos that my grandpa used to take, so I’ve watched him throw. That’s why I wanted to be like him.”
Q: How does your technique compare to your dad’s?
WOODRUFF: “Well, he glides in the shot put, and I spin, so it’s a little different. He was throwing in the 55’s by the end of his senior year, so I’m hoping to do the same.”
Q: How much do you like track and field?
WOODRUFF: “Football is my favorite sport, but track is fun, too. It’s fun hanging out with friends and competing.”
Q: Are you sad that your high school career is winding down?
WOODRUFF: “Kind of, but I’m going to college at Dickinson State, so I’m looking forward to that. I’m going to play football and compete in track and field there. I was recruited for football, but then I asked them if I could also do track, and they said, ‘Sure, that’s fine.’”
Q: How excited are you to compete collegiately?
WOODRUFF: “I can’t wait. I know the competition is going to be way better up there, but I think it will be fun.”
Q: What do you plan to major in at Dickinson State?
WOODRUFF: “Physical education. I want to be a PE teacher and a coach.”
Q: What do you like to do outside of school activities?
WOODRUFF: “I like to hunt and fish, and I also enjoy hanging out with family.”
Q: Where’s the best fishing spot around here?
WOODRUFF: “If you can make it to one of the bigger lakes, that would be nice; otherwise, Packer Lake is a good bass fishing lake.”
Q: Do you keep the fish that you catch?
WOODRUFF: “No. I don’t like fish. I just like to catch them.”
Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
WOODRUFF: “Yes. Savanna is 20; Tanya is 15; and my little brother, Jonathan, is 12.”
Q: I know you enjoy the weight events. Which event would you least like to do in track and field?
WOODRUFF: “The two-mile run. There’s too much running involved.”
Q: What’s your favorite class at Torrington High School?
WOODRUFF: “Probably weights. The teacher is a really good guy and makes everything fun.”
Q: Which teacher do you feel has made the biggest influence in your life?
WOODRUFF: “Probably Mark Sims. He’s the weight’s coach. He’s a good guy.”
Q: What’s your favorite cell phone app?
WOODRUFF: “Probably Snapchat and Facebook. I’m on those two a lot.”
Q: What do you like best about living in Torrington?
WOODRUFF: “There’s so many opportunities to go hunting and fishing around there.”
Q: What’s the coolest place to hang out in Torrington?
WOODRUFF: “Probably a friend’s house.”
Q: Name one person who you feel makes a big difference in the Torrington community.
WOODRUFF: “I think Kathy Hamer-Smith does – one of our coaches. She helps our track team so much, and she’s a great person all-around. Everyone knows her.”
Q: What is the best place to eat in Torrington?
WOODRUFF: “Probably the Bucking Horse. That’s a steak house. And if you go down the highway a little bit, you can eat at Lira’s in Lingle, which is pretty good.”
Q: Favorite sports team?
WOODRUFF: “The Denver Broncos.”
Q: Favorite professional athlete?
WOODRUFF: “Von Miller.”
Q: If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go?
WOODRUFF: “I would like to go to Canada, just because of the hunting and fishing there.”
For all your insurance needs, visit The Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance, located at 1012 Ave. I in Scottsbluff, or call 308-632-8598.
