Mitch SorensenThough there was a time when it might have looked like he was never going to take the field in CIS athletics, Nathan Filipek was determined to compete at the highest level.
Filipek is not only a wide receiver for the Golden Bears football team, but also a decorated pole-vaulter when track and field season comes around. Averaging 22.2 all-purpose yards per game this season in football, the fourth-year Sciences student also boasts a personal best pole vault of 5.00 metres.
Growing up in Langley, B.C., Filipek recalls developing a love for football from a very young age.
“My parents were both football fans, so they always had it on the TV,” said Filipek. “I wanted to play from the time I was six, but they wouldn’t let me until I turned eight.”
Though this talent on the gridiron was developed throughout his youth, he came to track and field only in Grade 10. Injured and unable to play rugby, Filipek said he came to track practice because throwing the javelin “sounded super cool.” Where pole vault was concerned, however, the story is even more down to chance.
“One of my track teammates said that his life goal was to do a backflip,” said Filipek. “ I hopped up and did one right there. My coach saw, then looked at me and said ‘I’ve got a plan for you.’”
After high school, Filipek moved to Vancouver Island to attend the University of Victoria. Having no other plan in mind than to attend university, Filipek played junior football and participated in club pole vault, as UVic had no varsity programs. After a few years, it looked like Filipek’s academic and athletic careers may have been over.
“[My time at UVic] was a mess, really,” said Filipek. “I ended up being dead broke and moving back to the lower mainland, just trying to make enough money to move somewhere.”
In his years at UVic and the limbo that followed, Filipek said he maintained a dialogue with U of A pole vault coach Cory Choma. After scraping together the funds he needed to live for a few months, Filipek packed up his car and moved to Edmonton.
“I came here knowing that I wanted to go back to school,” said Filipek. “I had no plan, no money, and didn’t know anyone, but I knew pole vault was a way into school.”
Arriving in July 2012, Filipek worked construction through summer and winter vacation to pay his bills. Eventually making it onto the track and football teams, Filipek credits sports for keeping him going through whatever tough times he had.
“I moved here with the goal of playing both sports, and that’s what keeps me focused when I’m working long hours or studying for exams,” Filipek said. “Athletics is what brought me here, and it’s still the end goal I keep in sight.”
Though Filipek is only in his fourth year of CIS eligibility, he will exceed the age limit for CIS football after this season. In terms of what he sees for the future of the program, Filipek has high hopes.
“Being a part of a team that has been on the edge of winning so many games, and goes out believing every game is winnable has been spectacular,” Filipek said. “I’m glad I get to help pull the team in that positive direction.”
According to Filipek, playing on the football team also helps him focus for track season. While he trains for football, his rivals train track year-round. This helps him hit the ground running from the first day of track training.
“The second I get to track practice, I’m behind, and I know I’m behind,” Filipek said. “I have to make sure all the focus and work is there on day one.”
As the defending CIS silver medallist in pole vault, Filipek has his sights set on beating longtime friend and competitor David Mckay of York University, last year’s CIS champion.
“We’ve faced off a lot, and on most occasions, he’s won,” Filipek said. “So I’d really like to take him down this year.
Whether it be the five seconds it takes to run a football play, or the time he spends in pole vault, Filipek says the desire to get better is common to both sports.
“I wasn’t born to be a football player, but I’ve worked my way to hold my own on the field,” said Filipek. “It’s the same with track, you can never be stagnant as an athlete and ‘just okay’ with the level you’re at.”
Whatever he may have fought through or given up to play high-level sports, Filipek says he has no regrets.
“The day of my first football game last year, I couldn’t believe it,” Filipek said. “I was just overwhelmed with happiness the whole day. It costs you a lot, but it’s worth it in the end.”
