The Villages Daily Sun

THE VILLAGES — Swimmer Nate Leech had a record-setting year at the National Senior Games, but the Villager’s greatest joy is being Dad, driving north to Gainesville to support his son Aaron, a diver on the University of Florida swimming and diving team.

“It’s really terrific that we only have to travel about 75 minutes to see Aaron compete,” said Nate, 58, of the Village of Winifred. “It’s always exciting. We go to every home meet.”

Aaron, 21, is the youngest of Nate and Mary Leech’s three children. A junior at UF majoring in building construction, Aaron has been diving for eight years and was the Illinois state high school diving champion his senior year.

Aaron says his father’s competitive drive inspires him.

“It’s really neat having another competitor in the family. I know where I get my drive to compete, and that’s from him,” Aaron said. “He has always been an outstanding swimmer and I only hope that I can become as good as he has over the past millennium.”

Humor is a vital part of the father-and-son bond.

When Aaron learned of his dad’s accomplishments at the National Senior Games in Louisville, Ky., over the summer, Aaron couldn’t resist giving a little ribbing.

“My first reaction was, ‘Wow, were you the only one who showed up that day?’ But, in all seriousness, I was extremely proud of him. He has been training for that meet for a long time. Despite his best efforts, he didn’t get first in every event that he swam. I guess that is my fault, as a son, for not making sure he trains harder.”

Yet Nate is not about to complain that every medal wasn’t gold. He was pleased to earn the chance to go to nationals and compete with other swimmers across the country in the 55-59 age group.

“Winning the nationals was a real thrill,” Nate said. “The first race I won, the 100-yard breaststroke, was only by a few hundredths of a second.”

The Villager also won gold in the 200-yard breaststroke, in which he set a national record; received a silver medal in the 200-yard freestyle; and earned bronze medals in the 200-yard backstroke and 500-yard freestyle.

“Competition is what keeps me motivated,” said Nate, whose favorite event is the individual medley, a combination of four strokes.

“The byproduct is that I keep in very good shape,” he added.

The Villager’s love for swimming goes back to the days when he swam competitively in age-group swimming at the YMCA, followed by swim meets in high school and in college at Purdue University.

“Then I took almost a 20-year hiatus,” he recalled. He started back up again through U.S. Masters Swimming while working as a senior project manager in the nuclear utility business.

When the Villager’s three children were growing up, he and his wife supported their activities. Their oldest child, Nate Jr., is 26 and Lindsay is 23.

“Mary and I have always enjoyed watching our kids compete and participate in their extracurricular activities,” Nate said, adding that his proximity to the swimming and diving program at UF is nice.

In turn, Aaron brags about his father’s athletic success to his UF peers, telling them about Dad’s many wins.

“They pretty much expect it,” Aaron said. “All my friends know that my dad is an extremely competitive swimmer. There’s a huge difference between someone who works out and someone who has a competitive edge. My dad is constantly working at becoming the best at what he does. He has been doing it all his life. My friends know this because they see it in me as well. I can only hope to become as successful as he has.”

Aaron marvels at his dad’s work ethic and motivation.

“I have never met anyone with a stronger work ethic than my father,” Aaron said. “My father is without a doubt a machine. … On an everyday basis, when my father was a tad younger, he would wake up extremely early just to go swim, then drive hours to work, deal with a stressful job that he was extremely good at, come home and deal with three kids, then go to sleep and do it all the next day.”

Nate sees the competitive drive in his son, appreciating Aaron’s desire to succeed even when obstacles are in the way.

“Aaron’s admirable qualities are his motivation and work ethic,” Nate said. “His dive coach uses Aaron as an example for his teammates to follow. … He dove all of last year with an injured shoulder and wrist.”

Aaron had shoulder surgery last spring and is now back on the diving boards.

Crediting his father for inspiring him throughout his recovery, Aaron said, “His motivational techniques are unique.”

“I have learned not to be sympathetic toward myself when it comes to injuries,” Aaron said. “He has taught me to push through the pain and deal with whatever comes my way. Basically, what doesn’t kill me only makes me stronger.”

“I hope to get through the rest of my college career without injury,” Aaron added. “Of course, that is every athlete’s goal. I also hope to make it to the NCAA championships this year, or next year. That would definitely be the next big jump for me.”

The father and son understand the work and emotions each goes through before competition.

“I know Aaron goes through mental preparation before each meet, just like I do,” Nate said. “I know he trains hard, just like I do. We offer each other words of encouragement and support. We do not really offer each other much technical advice because he’s a diver and I’m a swimmer — entirely different sports.”

Yet Aaron noted there are times when his father tells him what he needs to do to improve.

“I try to take his advice,” Aaron said.

In turn, Aaron’s words of wisdom to his dad are simple: “Swim faster!”

Nate strives to do just that. The support of fellow swimmers and coaches with the Villages swim team also provides great motivation, the Villager said.

“I enjoy the camaraderie of the team, the outstanding coaching, and just being able to work out with a group instead of by myself,” he said.

Nate and his wife came to The Villages from Naperville, Ill., after witnessing two other Villagers’ excitement for the community — Nate’s parents, Jim and Betty Ruth Leech, 13-year residents.

Nate recalled he learned early on that The Villages’ lifestyle is ideal.

“It was always difficult to reach them because they were so busy,” Nate recalled. “Mary and I knew we wanted to be here just because of all of the opportunities to have fun.”

Aaron comes to The Villages about twice a month to see his parents.

“It’s really nice to come down to see them, and I’m so happy to be close to my family,” he said. “I don’t think I would ever be happy if I were to be separated from them.”

Aaron anticipates more rewarding times in his life.

“I’m looking forward to graduating college, with honors hopefully, getting married, getting a job, living life, and retiring in Florida,” he said.

“I wouldn’t mind living in The Villages,” he added. “Although I’m not sure my parents want me to live with them.”

Nate strives to continue enjoying each moment in The Villages while feeding his passion for swimming.

“My goals are related to being able to compete and remain healthy until I pass on,” Nate said. “In other words, I plan on dying healthy.”

Aaron reflects on his dad’s life and believes it’s an example worth following.

“If I can become the man that my father has, I would be happy,” he said.

Theresa Campbell is a senior features writer with the Daily Sun. She can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9260, or theresa.campbell@thevillagesmedia.com.