Waterloo kicker to begin new chapter at local CIS school.
Sir John A MacDonald Highlanders kicker Nathan Mesher is set to embark on a new adventure this fall.
Nathan Mesher
Positions:
Kicker,Punter
Height/Weight:
6’0, 150 lbs
Teams:
Sir John A. MacDonald HighlandersĀ (high school:Ā WCSSAA)
Twin Cities PredatorsĀ (OFC)
Commitment:
Wilfrid Laurier
Class:
2014
Nathan has been playing football for two years. Ā He started out with Sir John A. MacDonald Highlanders of the Waterloo County Secondary School Athletic Association (WCSSAA). He has also suited up for the Twin Cities Predators of the Ontario Football Conference (OFC).
Nathan got his start in soccer. As a regional soccer champ, Nathan’s kicks caught they eye of some university football scouts. Never having played football before, Nathan contacted coaches in both Canada and the United States, asking for their assessment and training of his football abilities. He started practicing his kicking at the Wilfrid Laurier Field. He attended the NCS Top Tier All American Kicking Camp, The Special Teams Football Academy, as well as football camps at Queens University and the University of Minnesota.
“The advice of my US kicking coaches Gary Zauner and Chris Husby was very influential to me,” adds Nathan whoĀ was the top kicker in the OFC with precision accuracy at 92 percent.
Taking the advice of his coaches, he tried to get experience by signing up for the varsity Predators squad.Nathan then signed up for the junior Predators. During his time therew, NathanĀ won both the OFC and CJFL kicking titles and was selected as an OFC All Star.
Nathan was also selected as a Ā CJFL All-Canadian Award, marking the first time a kicker and a Predators player has been given the honour.
Overall, his experience with the Predators has been one of the highlights of his gridiron career.
“My most memorable football moment would be with the Under-19 Predators,” says Nathan. Ā “We were playing Burlington in a game after the death of a former teammate.”
“It was a very emotional game and it came down to a game winning kick with no time left. I ended up making the field-goal and it was a great way to remember the former teammate with the win.”
On the gridiron, Highlanders Head Coach Josh Alexander has been a main influence.
“In football, I’m very inspired by my high school coach Mr Alexander who has helped me through a lot,” adds Nathan.
Off the field, his parents have been a his main sources of encouragement and motivation.
“The most influential people in my life would be my parents; they give me a lot of advice,” Ā says Nathan. Ā “They also bring me to all my training.”
After two years of vigorous training, Nathan is graduating high school.
“This summer I still plan to play with the U19 Predators as well as kicking everyday and hitting the gym,” says Nathan of his upcoming plans. Ā “To improve I plan on working out to build my leg speed and muscle as well as practicing everyday to maintain my accuracy.”
“I will continue to take private instruction with coach Zauner in order to prepare for heading into university.”
After being approached by schools in both Canada and the United States, and given the chance to play either soccer, football or both, Nathan has made a decision and signed with the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks to play football. Nathan was also approached to play soccer in England, but has opted to put his education first.
“The recruitment process was good. I went and kicked at each school in front of head coaches,” adds Nathan. Ā “Each school and coach seemed to genuinely care about me and whatever choice I made regarding my future.”
“It took some of the stress away and made the process way more enjoyable. Ā I was picking between Wilfrid Laurier University, Queens University and McMaster University. I also had schools interested from the States but I chose to stay in Canada because I feel the education is at the same caliber. I recently signed to Laurier, this was because of Laurier’s business program and the reputation that it has, as well as the excellent coaching staff at Laurier. Ā I plan on going to Laurier and succeeding in the business program, possibly getting my M.B.A or going straight into a job that I enjoy.”
Nathan doesn’t say what that job might but prefers the financial side of business as he plans to take cooperative education in university.
“I would consider playing pro football but it would have to come second to my education,’ he says.
Furthermore, Nathan plans to continue playing soccer. Last summer, he was a coach of the Toronto Lynx Soccer Academy, playing an undefeated ten games in the the US Super Y League. They ranked number 1 in the Midwest.
“It will be an interesting change when I head to university,” says Nathan. Ā “I will always love playing soccer but I love playing football as well.”
“Football is something I really enjoy doing. I like the aspect of having the pressure on me in game winning situations.The main difference between football and anything else is that when the game is on the line, it comes down one play… which could be a field goal! That excitement is different compared to other sports.”
Ā 
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