Trending

Advertisement

AOW: Patterson proving to be one of SD’s best

Share

Jackie Patterson’s list of accomplishments on the track is eye-opening:

A three-year state qualifier, including a four-event qualifier last season.

A co-captain at Rancho Bernardo High and the 4x100-meter anchor leg for the defending two-time San Diego Section champions.

The county’s leading returner in both the 100 (11.79 seconds) and 200 (24.65) meter dash.

Yet, even with a bright, shiny résumé, the Cal-bound sprinter has eluded the spotlight in San Diego —until now that is.

Choosing a college

Patterson began her sports career in middle school as a multi-sport athlete, competing in soccer, basketball, and softball. Upon entering high school, she decided to try something new and made the decision to go out for track her freshman year at Rancho Bernardo.

“I thought track would be a new challenge and I was getting burned out from travel and club sports like basketball and softball,” Patterson remembers.

Little did she realize how much that decision would pay off, culminating with a track scholarship to California Berkeley, where she will sprint for the Golden Bears and against some fierce competition in the PAC-12.

“I narrowed it down to what could help me the most academically, but also have big-time athletics as well. I narrowed it down to Penn and Cal, but the opportunity to get an education at Cal and attend top-tier football games sounds like the ideal college experience.”

Senior year

Heading into the current season, with her team having won two consecutive San Diego Section titles, Patterson has high hopes and expectations. She has already been in contact with the coach at Cal who has stressed what they are looking to see from her. These expectations include an event for Patterson that she will have to “get used to.”

“This season he wants to see me work on lowering my 400 time, work on speed endurance, get stronger in the weight room and always get faster,” explains Patterson.

The 400 is not Patterson’s preferred event, ranking behind the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay. Yet Patterson continues to achieve exemplary numbers in the 400. Her career best of 57.46 would make her a section finalist in the event.

Broncos coach Don Jones steadfastly believes Patterson can achieve her season goals.

“Jackie is starting the season in great shape,” he said. “She’s already under 12.00 (11.97 on a wet track at the Bronco Invitational) and her 200 is leading the county. It is reasonable to think that Jackie will set career bests this year in the 100. 200, and 400.”

Relay fun

Patterson’s favorite event (the 4x100 relay) has been a true success story.

“Relays are fun because there’s an exponential focus on team,” she said. “The 4x100 isn’t just one person, you have to depend on the person behind you and the person behind them. Everyone has to work well together.”

The relays have been notoriously successful for Rancho Bernardo and when asked what Patterson owes their success story to, she points toward her team.

“We bond well,” she said. “We know each other, we know how each other work. We hang out outside of track practice and meets so we’ve gotten to know each other really well. If one person makes a mistake, we pick each other up.”

When asked what she attributes to the 4x100 success herself (besides her speed), she humbly states: “I think I bring a good attitude. I pick (a teammate) up when they need it and let them know that they are important to this team. I make sure that they know that if they are doing their best, that’s all that anyone can ever ask for.”

While standing on the track waiting for the baton during the relays, there can be many things going through a runner’s head. For Patterson, she is thinking of only two things.

“I’m looking at what position I’m going to get the baton in and to run my fastest,” she said.

Pressure and expectations

Patterson is known for always keeping calm and collected during the pressures of a meet. When asked what gets her excited, Patterson says the competition.

“I’m competitive, but if someone is talking junk, I like to talk with my feet,”

The pressure of meeting goals comes with all of the expectations for the season. Patterson has several specific expectations for herself and her team.

“For our relays I would like it if we could get our speed even faster than last year,” she said. “For the team as a whole, I want us to become league and CIF champions again and leave our mark.”

A rare feat

Coach Jones feels Patterson can achieve a rare feat in track.

“Jackie has an opportunity to become a state qualifier in four events, the 100, 200, 4x100 and 4x400, for the second consecutive season. That does not happen very often, but Jackie is a rare athlete. She’s pretty special.”

Asked to summarize her keys to success, Patterson said:

“Work ethic. If you want to get better, you always have to try hard. Also, working well with others. Some people say track isn’t a team sport, but it is. You have to work together and you all accumulate points for the same team.”

Lohr is a freelance writer

Advertisement