SPORTS

LET'S ALL CHEER FOR JACOB PATTON

By: Rich Carr May 30, 2008

Jacob Patton is the kind of kid parents are proud of, teachers are proud of, and the community is proud of. Pride could stem from the fact that he'll graduate from Orting High School next month with a 3.55 GPA and as a member of the National Honor Society.

"I don't like being average at anything I do." said Patton. "Our society is too tolerant of the mediocre."

Although his favorite subject is History...a subject he's excelled at in his studies and as a member of last years' Orting Knowledge Bowl team that went to state, Patton is also following in his parents footsteps as he'll be attending Washington State University in the Fall to become a nurse. According to him, every test he's ever taken regarding aptitude in a profession lead to a career in this field.

For all his accomplishments, it isn't his grade point average or his career choice that has made Jacob Patton a household name in our community, or a feared name in every community outside of Orting. It's his prowess on the Orting Track team that rings that bell. Patton is a runner. A fast runner. A fast runner who has broken his own school record this year by eclipsing his Junior Year Record of 50.23 in the 400 meter with a stunning performance of 49.53 at Districts in mid-May.

"I have been running since I was little. Ever since elementary I raced people I had to be the fastest kid." said Patton, "It's the only sport I've been good at."

He may call himself 'good', but Patton is great. When he attends WSU in the Fall he'll walk on to the track with times that will place him as one of the schools top runners...as a Freshman. And, even though he'll tell you he's "always been a runner", what you have to pry out of him is the fact that this character-laden Senior in High School has a true and credible work ethic. He trains hard year round to reach the times and accomplishments that many think come naturally.

"I've worked hard to get where I am off-season training. All alone with nobody to train with and it wasn't easy. Track has taught me self-motivation. It's not easy to push myself with nobody there."

In school, he credits Throwing Coach Mr. Snyder with a serious regimen five days a week in weight training. "He Knows what he's doing." states Patton. "How he has it structured so I focus on three main lifts - clean squat and bench - everyday five days a week. Each one of those lifts are complimented by other lifts to help me in my mission."

When he's racing, Patton doesn't touch carbonated beverages at all. He claims its a hard thing to do, but swears by the fact that abstaining from soda makes it easier to train.

The payoff? Let's see here: 3.55 GPA, National Honor Society, School Records in Track in which he breaks his own the following year, self-disciplined, self-motivated, pleasant to talk to, driven, and following in BOTH parents footsteps. Pullman's gain has been Orting's gain.

So when the tassels are tossed at this year's graduation, let's all raise a voice for Jacob Patton as he'll carry that ethic no matter where he goes...and he'll succeed there too.