Fresh off a win in the high jump at the Indiana State Championship meet just two weeks ago Patterson put his skill on display against some of the best in the country for an audience that included college coaches.
“For this meet you just had to have a jump of the qualifying height,” said Patterson. “In my round I believe they were all state champions. It was a college exposure type of meet. There were a lot of colleges there to take a look at people that they might be interested in.”
Patterson, who will be a senior this fall, cleared 7 feet, 1/4 inch during the competition at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro. The event winner, Daniel Claxton of Smithtown, NY, also made 7’1/4”. However, Claxton cleared the height on his first attempt, while Patterson needed two tries to get over.
“The guy jumped the same height as me but he had one less miss,” said Patterson. “That’s what happens in a meet like this, the competition is so good and so close. It’s really kind of good to have some guys jumping with me at the higher heights. It pushes you to be your best.”
Third-place finisher Safir Scott of Greenwich, CT, meanwhile, cleared 7’1/4” on his third attempt. All three jumpers were unsuccessful on three tries at 7’2”. Thus, final places were awarded based on the number of attempts it took each jumper to clear the final height.
Patterson has successfully cleared 7’2” on two occasions earlier this season.
It was Patterson’s first time at a national meet.
“I admit I was pretty nervous. This was the first time I’ve ever been to this type of meet and been on this kind of a stage – a national stage – with this kind of competition,” said Patterson. “Everybody was in high school I think almost all of them were seniors. I had heard some of the guys names before, I’d never actually met any of them. All you can do to get ready is just look up the guys PR’s (Personal Records) and see where you stand. That’s the only way you can prepare.”
Preparation will be the name of the game for Patterson for the coming year as he prepares for a run at the state record and maybe even more.
“Having guys to push you is really good but I feel it’s really more on myself to get where I want to be,” said Patterson. “Don’t get me wrong it does help if a guy has a good jump before you knowing that you HAVE to clear that.”
Patterson has literally set the bar high, knowing what he wants to accomplish for his senior season at Plymouth.
“I’m hoping that I can get to 7’4”,” he said. “A lot of people at the next level (college) can do that so it would really just put me in the middle of the pack competition wise, but the thing is I’d be right there with everyone, and that gives you a shot.
“I feel like the more I prepare myself – keep lifting, take care of myself – that’s going to get me where I want to go.”
Patterson is still undecided on his college choice.
“I haven’t even started to think about a college yet,” he said. “That’s why it was good to do this so people can see you. I’m going to make sure that whatever I choose to do is going to be the right fit for me.”
