Patrick Campbell Racing With Confidence

Mooresville's Patrick Campbell has had an outstanding start to the 2007 XC season. First off, he's the #1 runner on the #1 ranked 3A team in North Carolina. Mooresville won it's first state title in school history last year and looks more than ready to win their 2nd in a row.

 

Patrick has run two major races so far and he's finished 3rd in both. Who's beaten him you may ask? Ryan Hill of Hickory has beaten him twice. Hill was the Foot Locker South champion last year as well as the 3A state champ. He has also lost to Taylor Gilland who was one of the top sophomores in the country last year. Finally, the 3rd athlete he has lost to was Luke Lovelace of SC, who also qualified for the Foot Locker finals last year.

 

I'd say that's pretty good company!

 

Patrick's personal record last year during the XC season was 16:14. So far this year, he has run a 15:47 at the WNC CC Carnival and a 15:40 at the Eye Opener. On the same courses last year he ran 17:08 and 17:30. As you can see, Patrick is a new runner.

 

He has a lot of cofidence thanks to a solid track season that saw him run a 4:24, 9:33, and a 15:25 5k. 

 

Coach Hovis: First of all, Patrick, how do you feel the season has gone so far? For you personally? For the team?
Patrick Campbell: It’s definitely gone really well so far. I am real pleased with my times at WNC and Eye Opener. The team is also doing really well. We have had a lot of guys work hard this summer and it’s showing so far.
 
Coach Hovis: Do you feel as a team you are right where you all want to be?
Coach Hovis: At this point in the season obviously.
Patrick Campbell: Yes, I think we are running very well right now. We have been working on closing the gap to take the next step to the elite level. We are going to have to improve throughout the season to achieve our ultimate goal.

Coach Hovis: Ultimate goal? NTN berth?
Patrick Campbell: Yes, we hope to earn a spot to Nike Team Nationals.

Coach Hovis: Ok, well I guess that actually jumps me ahead a bit in my questions. With how well you are running, you look as if you could have a shot at qualifying for Foot Locker Nationals. Has that crossed your mind? NTN Regional and FL South are the same days.
Patrick Campbell: Coach Serefine and I have talked about the NTN, Fl South conflict. Right now we are just waiting to see how the season unfolds and then make the best decision for me and the team. My first choice would be NTN if we feel we have a legitimate shot.

Coach Hovis: Ok, I know how much the Mooresville team means to you. You guys seem to be a pretty tight family.
Patrick Campbell: We are really good friends and we have a strong bond.

Coach Hovis: Your personal running. You have put down some serious times so far. The 15:40 at Eye Opener is faster than Ryan Hill ran last year to win (15:46). What's going on, man?
Patrick Campbell: I worked really hard this summer and got more serious about running in general.  I saw how much I improved at the end of last track season and knew that I could continue to run faster with more hard work.

Coach Hovis: Right, you had a great track season, 15:25 on the track at Nike Outdoors. Did it all of a sudden click at some point for you? Was there a certain race that boosted your confidence?
Patrick Campbell: The Eastern High School Challenge during indoor, when I ran 9:42 for the 3200. That really helped my confidence and it showed me I could run with people who had beaten me by a lot in the past.

Coach Hovis: Well, I've been very impressed with your runs so far. I think most people around the state have been. You seem to have no fear right now, going out and hanging with FL finalists for as long as you can.
Patrick Campbell: Coach Serefine has really helped me by telling me that I can stay with them.  That has been our plan for the first two races, to go out with the leaders and see how long I can hang on. It has helped me run very fast early this season.

Coach Hovis: No kidding. Can't wait to see what you lay down at Wendy's!
Patrick Campbell: Yeah, I’m definitely excited to run a very fast course like McAlpine.

Coach Hovis: Your team is headed to the Maymount Invitational in Virginia towards the end of September. That should be the most competitive meet you guys have run in besides the NTN Open race last year. Any goals for that race?
Patrick Campbell: We want to prove ourselves as contenders in the southeast. We are not ranked right now and we think that will be a great chance to run with great teams and show that we can run with them.

Coach Hovis: Sure. A couple more questions.
Coach Hovis: A lot of people think you guys are the best team in the state. The coaches will be voting in a couple weeks on a NC Top 15, should be interesting. Did you get a chance to check out the running at UNCW? Any thoughts on those 4A schools? Don't think you guys will actually race them at all this year, is that right?
Patrick Campbell: Those times were definitely impressive. Broughton and Enloe look very strong. I’m not sure that we will race them at all. The only race we could possibly would be Wendys. It would be very interesting to get to race the other great teams in North Carolina.

Coach Hovis: Last question, any colleges standing out as top choices for next year?
Patrick Campbell: NC State (I’m going on a visit there later in september), Georgetown, Virginia

Coach Hovis: Very good choices. Thanks for your time and I wish you and the Mooresville team the best of luck!
Patrick Campbell: Thank you.