At a time when freshmen had a difficult time cracking the lineup at the Division I level, smaller programs like Otterbein offered opportunities that attracted athletes like Nate Van Wey. This chance to compete right away was a key factor in his decision to attend Otterbein.
The athletic environment was vastly different then—there was only one coach responsible for all events. Nate taught himself to triple jump by studying a book given to him by former coach and current Hall of Fame member, Bud Yoest.
Without access to an indoor facility or a dedicated practice area, Nate made the most of what was available. His passion for jumping grew stronger through each competition. He fondly recalls valuable advice from a Kenyon high jumper at a meet, who told him to “run fast” before his jump—a simple tip that Nate carried with him throughout his career, helping him become one of the most notable jumpers in Otterbein history.
Nate became a three-time Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) champion in the long jump, while also scoring points in multiple events. He earned team MVP honors in 1970, 1971, and 1972. By the time he graduated, Nate held four school records: indoor and outdoor long jump, indoor high jump, and outdoor triple jump. One of his most remarkable achievements was an outdoor long jump of 7.25 meters, a record that stood for over 50 years until it was finally broken in 2024.
Not only was he a tremendous jumper, Nate contributed to the Cardinal track and field programs in the 100 meter and 200 meter dashes, as well as the 4x100 meter relay. He credits his excellence at jumping to simply watching others and asking as many questions as possible
