Parkland runner heads to N.C. State
Alexis Patterson was surrounded by family and friends as she signed her letter of intent to run for N.C. State.
In just one season at Parkland, Alexis Patterson has turned into one of the best track and field runners in the state of North Carolina. Now, she is poised to take her talents to the next level, as she will head to Raleigh to run for the Wolfpack next year.
Patterson, surrounded by family, friends and teammates, signed her letter of intent on Nov. 30 to run for N.C. State next fall. The versatile runner can be utilized in several events from 55 meters, all the way to the 300 meter dash and can even run the hurdles.
“It feels good to get to this point, because I practiced hard every day and listened to my coaches,” said Patterson. “I just tried to be the best I could be in the classroom and on the track.”
Patterson began her career at Mt. Tabor High School, before transferring to Parkland following her sophomore year. The move to Parkland was primarily due to her familiarity with Parkland head coach Antwan Hughes, who also is head coach of Lights Out Track Club, which Patterson runs for as well.
The talent was there, but Hughes never had the opportunity to see the full potential Patterson possessed, because she only ran with him during the summer. Once Hughes had Patterson full time, he pulled every ounce of talent out of her.
“She came from Mt. Tabor High School and at Tabor she was really just an average runner there,” said Hughes. “Once she got here to Parkland and I was able to coach and work with her every day, I realized she had a great work ethic.”
“She trains really hard and is the first one at practice and the last one to leave most often,” Hughes continued. “She is the type of athlete a coach would love to have, because she will do everything that you tell her to do.”
Patterson has started her indoor season on a hot streak. She has set personal records in three events already. She said she expects this year to be even better than last year, so she can be as prepared as possible for the next level.
S. Wayne and Tamica Patterson, Alexis’ parents, were elated to enjoy the moment with their daughter. She will follow in her two older brothers’ footsteps by running for the Wolfpack.
“I am very proud of her and she is keeping the legacy alive at N.C. State because her two brothers are down there, but it’s not about them, it’s about her, because she is going down there representing herself, her school and her family,” said Mr. Patterson.
“This is a very exciting moment and a joyous occasion,” Mrs. Patterson added. “We have great expectations for her and coach Hughes has done a great job of developing her.”
Mr. and Mrs. Patterson gave a lot of credit to Parkland head coach Antwan Hughes for getting Alexis to this point. Mr. Patterson recalled a conversation he had with Hughes where he said, “Alexis is a diamond in the rough. If I had her full time at Parkland, I can make her into a diamond.”
The Patterson family took Hughes at his word. “Everything he said he was going to do, he did,” said Alexis.
Alexis will be in good hands when she arrives at N.C. State next fall. The Wolfpack are led by for Olympian Allen Johnson. With Johnson being a world champion hurdler, the sky is the limit for young Patterson.
