Trojan caps off All-Ohio career
Ending a career on the podium is the ultimate goal of high school athletes competing in the State Track and Field Championships.For Tusky Valley senior Garrett Patterson, it was a return trip to the podium on Friday, June 4, only this year he finished one step higher.
"It's a good feeling, but I'm more worried about going on to college," Tusky Valley shot putter Patterson said of his seventh-place finish. "I was eighth last year, seventh this year. It's a move up. You always want to do your best, and I tried to do my best. My personal best was 54-2, but I didn't quite hit that. I'm not sad about my effort. I did my best, it just didn't go as far as I wanted it to."
Patterson threw 51-7.75.
The showdown for first place was unbelievable.
Two-time defending State champion Matthew Hoty broke his own State meet record of 62-feet, with a heave of 62-9.75 on his final throw. Justin Welch of Eastwood followed with a new State mark of 62-11.75 to win the event.
"It was a heck of a battle for first place," Patterson said. "I couldn't worry about that. I just had to worry about where I was and try and move up. Those guys made some quality throws. That's what being here is all about."
Patterson plans to play football at Walsh University in the fall.