MileSplit - How is your fitness as you begin the 2013 season. What excites you most about the coming year of HS XC?
Patrick - This is the fittest that I have ever been going into a cross country season. I have hit my longest and fastest runs ever this summer, and it is really starting to pay off. I just look forward to getting out on the course and showing the world that I have gotten a lot better from last fall. I am just really excited to race this year because I believe both myself and my team are going to make some magic happen.
MileSplit - After a 19th place finish at Foot Locker last year what are your plans for this season?
Patrick - My plans for this season are to win the Illinois State Meet both as a team and an individual. I would also like to break 14 minutes for three miles on the state course. In addition, I want to win the Foot Locker Midwest regional, but more importantly, I want to place top 5 at Foot Locker Nationals, and possibly win.
MileSplit - When & how did you get started in cross country?
Patrick - I got started with XC as a sophomore. I played varsity soccer my freshman year, but I had some great teammates encourage me to run cross country. I qualified for the state track meet as a freshman, and from that point on, I have never looked back. I made the right choice in the end, and I am thankful for Michael Scolarici, Connor Ryan, Craig Munie, and Alex Riba for convincing me to pursue a career in running.
MileSplit - Person/people most influential to your success in cross country and why?
Patrick - My mom and dad are the most influential people in my life. They have always been there for me through my ups and downs. They have always taught me to never be scared to take risks. Those risks are what have led me to have such great success in running. Of course, I am also thankful to Coach Burnett and all of my teammates who have been my support network everyday. I know that I can always count on those people.
MileSplit - What are the keys to your successful cross country training program?
Patrick - I have put in a lot more tempo work and long runs this summer. Those have developed me into being a strong runner. I think I am going to be in contention in many races because of the strong cardiovascular system I have built. Now, I am going to rely on my speed training at the end of the year to allow me to win the races that matter most. My training is the best it has ever been.
MileSplit - What are the keys to your team's unity and how you train to reach your goals?
Patrick - Our team is always going to have priority over my individual goals. I prefer to win a state title with my team when compared to myself. We do everything together whether it is warming-up, cooling down, running easy runs, being supportive in workouts, or just always hanging out with each other after practice. We a tight knit group both on and off the course. That is the special part of this team.
MileSplit - Your favorite past performance in a cross country race and why?
Patrick - I loved the State Meet and the Foot Locker Regional. I exceeded all of my expectations, and those two meets showed me that this is a sport where I can not just be good, but I have the potential to be the best if I just keep working my tail off. That payoff never came in soccer.
MileSplit - Who are the cross country competitors you most enjoy competing against and why?
Patrick - My favorite person to compete against is Noah Kauppila. We are both from the St. Louis area, and I know that every time I race him becomes a head-to-head show down. We are very similar runners, so running tactical races against each other, and going back and forth on who wins is always fun. He is a great competitor, and I love racing him because he always brings his A-game.
MileSplit - What is your greatest non-running experience in cross country so far and why?
Patrick - My favorite non-running memory has to be all of the team dinners and poker nights that I have had with my team. It is one thing to have a group of guys that are there for you at practice, but it is another to have them be your closest friends. I will always be close with my squad. Dorrian Gordon, Steven Chorma, Evan Wesslund, Brennan Koester, Romeo Scaglarini, Erik McMillan are some of the best teammates that a guy can ask for.
MileSplit - What are your goals for the 2013 cross country season?
Patrick - My goals for the season are to just be successful. I really want to take a stab at Craig Virgen's state record, winning state with my boys, and going after the Foot Locker National Title. It is going to be tough to do any of those things, but if I keep working hard, I believe nothing is unachievable.
MileSplit - Do you have any long-term goals in running?
Patrick - I would love to go to a school where I have a shot to win the NCAA title as a team, and where I can develop to be an All-American. From there, I hope to possibly go pro and to take a shot at the Olympic trials in 2020 and 2024.
MileSplit - What was your favorite performance from the 2013 World Champs?
Patrick - Obviously, it was when Usain Bolt won the 100 meter dash in the rain. That just looked way too cool to not be my favorite. I also liked the highlights that NBC put together to Katy Perry's song "Roar" at the end of the Championships. I get goose bumps every time I watch that haha.
The Fun Run
What music do you rock while working out…
Patrick - I don't listen to music normally when I run, but before races and when I weight lift, I go to Ellie Goulding. She is a goddess.
Do you like to run in the mud or the grass…
Patrick - Grass. I like to run fast, and to have a clean, fair race. I don't mind running in the rain though. I think that is really cool.
Do you hang out on Facebook or Twitter...
Patrick - Facebook. Twitter sucks.
Do you like going out or chilling at home...
Patrick - I like chilling at home with my girlfriend, but I also really like to get out and go cruise around a lot.
What gear is your favorite while running...
Patrick - I love Nike gear. I have been told that I look pretty good when I sport a pair of their half tights, a singlet, black Nike crew socks, and a pair of Nike Zoom Streaks XC.
