News
Resila soars on to Niagara University
Nov. 19, 2009
On
Nov. 16, Mohonasen High School senior, Nate Resila, signed a letter
of intent to swim for the Purple Eagles at Niagara University.
He received a Division I scholarship to play for the team just two years after having spinal fusion surgery on his back.
“He is our hero after all he’s accomplished since his major surgery and setbacks,” said Nate’s mother, Laurie Resila. “He is certainly a goal-setter, a believer in working hard to achieve one’s dreams and doing what it takes to accomplish that.”
Nate was diagnosed with scoliosis at age five. When he became a teenager, a growth spurt made his scoliosis worse, and he was in pain every day. The spinal fusion surgery left a 15-inch incision, an 8-inch rod inserted in his back, and one less rib.
After surgery, Nate was not allowed to ride the bus to school and could not even bend over to tie his shoes for six months. Mohonasen Varsity Swim Coach Bill Mattola would go to Nate’s house every Friday to see how he was doing.
“Nate is a special person. I admire how much he had to go through,” said Coach Mattola. “To get back to this level, he really had to come full circle. All of his hard work has paid off.”
Last year, Nate placed first in the Section II swim championships in the breaststroke and 200 yard freestyle relay. He is the Varsity Swim Team co-captain this year. Nate is also a member of the Albany Star Fish USA swim team.
Nate also received a partial academic scholarship to Niagara University. He is in the top five percent of his class. He is enrolled in multiple AP and honors courses, and he plays the string bass in the orchestra. Nate is vice president of both the French Honor Society and Music Honor Society, and is an active member of the Science Honor Society.
Nate will become a “double Eagle," according to his mother, in December when he officially becomes an Eagle Scout through the Boy Scouts of America.
Photo caption (from left to right): Varsity Assistant Swim Coach Marc Vachon, Nate Resila, and Varsity Swimming Head Coach Bill Mattola.
