Senior Sendoff: Patrick Wolf

Athlete Name: Patrick Wolf

School: LAMP High school

What was your most memorable meet and why?

My most memorable meet of my career was probably the state cross country meet my junior year. With title hopes in sight that was the race of my career. The whole trip was a reminder how much my team meant to me and what it meant to fight for something so hard. We put so much work into that year and it pushed us and drove us for this past year to do better. Though we came in second as a team, I made my first all state team and I couldn't have done it without my team pushing me to be better.

Where did you face your biggest competition?

The biggest competition I faced was the state cross country meet this past fall. It was seriously a 4 or 5 team race for the top spot and everyone brought their a game that day. It was the race everyone has ever dreamed of, and the outcome could've changed every time if that meet was run again.

Out of all of your high school accomplishments which stands out the most and why?

I think the biggest accomplishment was being part of the past three runner up teams for 4a cross country. It's like we moved from 3a-4a my sophomore year and the entire attitude of the team changed and we started crushing every meet. To be part of the transformation of a program is spectacular and I can honestly say that is my biggest accomplishment. It helped me become a better leader, a better runner, and it was fantastic. It also helped me get all state junior year so that's pretty nice to.

If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?

If I could do anything over in my high-school career, it would have to be my summer training my freshman and sophomore years. I could've been a lot better if I ran regularly and I honestly regret that.

What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?

The biggest obstacles I had to face in my career would have to be nagging back injuries and the occasional blacking out during races. The back injuries really held me back to where I could have been, but I think having them made me a stronger person. Having something holding you back makes you want to push harder and fight harder to get to where you want to be, if not physically or time wise, at least in that mental aspect of where you can take anything thrown at you.

What will you miss the most?

The thing I will miss the most is running with and being part of our team. They are all like my family and its going to suck not having them around next year in college. If I could steal them and coach I would. Those bus rides going to meets is a close second mostly because you never knew what was going to happen on the ride over.

Do you have any advice for younger athletes?

The biggest advice I can give to younger athletes is to actually train over the summer. I will admit that my freshman and sophomore years I did not train like I should have so my times reflected. But with that out of the way I have some actual advice from me and not something your coaches would say. Anytime you have a set back, use that as motivation, anytime you have an injury, use that as motivation, don't let anything set you back/hold you back to where you want to be. Use it as a fire to get better and fight for your goal, because the only thing keeping you back is yourself. It sucks whenever you get set back especially when your life (and running goals) are starting to shape up only to be set back, but clawing your way back to the top is sweeter when you do it to prove yourself wrong.

What are your post-highschool or college plans?

After graduation I plan to attend the University of Mississippi and major in computer science and criminal justice. While at the moment running for the team is not in my future, I plan to train to possibly tryout for the track and cross country teams. I do want to volunteer within the community with various service organizations and also helping with local cross country and track teams.

Who would you like to say thank you to?

I'd like to give a big thank you to my coach for 5 years Mr. Chris Colvin. Since I joined the team in eight grade you've always been my driving factor to be better than I could be, and you were always there whenever I had a bad race telling me the next race was what mattered. You were like a second dad to me and I cannot thank you enough for everything you've done for me and the team while I've been on it. It's been an honor to run for you. I'd also like to thank my parents for being my biggest supporters at meets because you always seemed to make them even when I thought you couldn't. I'd like to thank my grandfather for being my number 1 supporter and telling me things especially my running were worth pursuing and running my guts out everyday was worth it. I'd like to thank my team lastly because I couldn't have become the person I am today without y'all. I started out as this quiet kid and now you guys can't shut me up. I'll miss the early morning bus rides, chick fila stops, late night jacuzzi chats, and the awesome posters and Loveless Run More ribbons. You all gave me a second family and I expect great things from all of y'all.