Oswego East Student-Athlete of the Week-Parker Nold

Senior Parker Nold has set some high expectations for his senior year. As last year’s Record newspaper’s Runner of the Year, Parker has the ability and motivation to reach all of them. Is it his leadership skills, and not just his individual success, that makes him this week’s Oswego East student-athlete of the week.

Parker’s journey to becoming a distant runner started when he saw his older brother Trevor, an OE grad, compete for the Wolves. “I watched my brother run in 3rd and 4th grade, and my dad was a cross country coach at St. Charles East when they won a few state trophies, so that piqued my interest in running,” says Parker.

Trevor would go on to run at College of DuPage, and, as their father and mother, Scott and Kristen Nold says, “despite their 7-year age gap and living apart for 5 years due to Trevor’s military service, they have maintained a very close bond. As Parker has gotten older he used Trevor’s achievements to help him set his own goals.”

As a freshman, Parker and his freshman teammates were able to watch the varsity claim 5th in the state that season, an event that had a significant influence on them as a group. “We all made an agreement that our main goal was going to be to make it to state and get a trophy,” says Parker.

Head coach Jim Milner says, “The 2019 team has been a great influence for this group.” He goes on to say, “That team showed this group what could be accomplished and a path to do it. There are similar qualities that both teams share, but every team every year is unique. This group is paving a way of their own and setting an outstanding example for future Oswego East cross country teams.”

For Parker, his individual success has put him in a position to challenge for a state championship this season. Last season he placed 10th overall at the state meet and won all-state accolades, he already holds the OE cross country course record that he set last year in the regional championship, and he also qualified for state track last season as a member of the 4x800m relay team and as an individual in the 1600m.

Parker has set a personal goal of running under 14:20 in the 3-mile and placing in the top 5 as an individual. However, Parker is a leader for the team and is just as concerned about their success as a whole as he is with his individual success. “Even though Parker recognizes his own individual achievements, he sees the team achievements as more important,” says Scott and Kristen.

That leadership is something Coach Milner appreciates, saying, “Parker is a leader by example.” He goes on to say, “Every single thing a coach asks of him, he does it exactly the correct way. Teammates look to him and can see what he’s doing that makes him successful.”

Parker’s plans for next year include running at the collegiate level and most recently visited Bradley University, which has shown interest in having Parker on the cross country and track teams. “Parker can compete at any college level,” says Jim. He goes on to say, “It is up to him to find the college/university that’s best for him personally. He definitely has the characteristics that all programs are looking for.”

The high standards Parker sets for himself as a runner are just as high as a student. He would like to major in civil engineering in college, because, “I like architecture and the different ways to design buildings and construct them,” says Parker.

Matt Gurrieri, Parker’s AP Physics teacher, believes Parker will succeed, saying, “Parker consistently challenges himself and I have seen tremendous growth in him as a student and person over the past 2 years.” He goes on to say, “I see Parker being successful in civil engineering because he has a great work ethic in addition to a great mind for science/math/engineering. His diligence will serve him well in the engineering field. He has an exceptional drive to become the best version of himself, and this has helped him attain great success in the classroom and as an athlete.”

As a runner, Parker’s best days seem to be ahead of him as the state meet inches closer as the season marches on. As a senior, Parker advises future Wolves to, “get involved and take the opportunity to do most of the things you can and are interested in because the four years you are here flies by.” Parker and his teammates will look to fly by the competition as they look to not only replicate the success the seniors had when they were freshmen but to forge their own path and add their names to the record book.