Looking up and down Thurston's boys basketball roster one name in particular will resonate with the teens and adults of the late 90's and early 2000's.
“Everybody calls me Stiffler,” said Nate Stiffler.
When his name is called during the game fans can't help but think of the polarizing character, Steve Stiffler from the American Pie movie series. Stiffler is only a sophomore in the high school, but during the summer of seventh grade his mom finally allowed his dad to show him one of the R rated movies.
“I enjoy the movie," he said. "It’s really funny. And it’s just really cool, especially for the older crowd, (they) appreciate it more. Most of my friends haven’t seen it. But, yea that’s really fun.”
However, unlike Seann Williams Scott's character, this Stiffler is all about the success of his team.
“It’s not just about what he does, but about what his team does," said Colts' head coach, Blaine Liberatore. "He truly wants to win, he wants us to win and he wants his teammates to be successful in doing it.”
Stiffler said, “We would do anything for each other. We’re family on and off the court. So it’s like I said it’s really fun to succeed with them and compete with them.”
His competitive drive and motivation to succeed even lead him to take on another sport in golf after him and his dad took a trip to play the sport. Stiffler said he wasn't very good at golf on his first outing, but he wanted to get better. Now two years later he competes on the school golf team.
“Mentally helps you focus more, calms you down," he said. "Focus on the little details, that translates over to basketball too.”
Despite now being a two-sport athlete at Thurston, Stiffler says basketball is still his number one sport and is the key to helping him achieve his ultimate dream of playing on the collegiate level.