BLACKSBURG - Though it was a season that ended just short of the NCAA Indoor Championships, it was one that saw sophomore Jacory Patterson continue his ascension in to one of the top sprinters in the country.
Patterson is accustomed to making a splash when opening a track and field season. As a freshman, the Colombia, South Carolina native broke the school and U-20 300-meter record with his time of 32.49 seconds at the Virginia Tech Invitational.
A little over a year later Patterson was once again running the 300, but this time his eyes were set on an even bigger goal; the collegiate record. That record of 32.32 seconds coincidentally was also set in Rector Field House in 2010 by former Georgia runner Torrin Lawrence.
With his goal in mind, there was no difference to the way he approached the race. Going through his customary routine, he exploded out of the blocks and did what he always does, he stuck with the plan that him and sprint and hurdles coach Tim Vaught decided on.
In just 32.28 seconds, Patterson shattered the previous collegiate record and became the sixth-fastest American ever in the event. To many, that kind of success early in a season could lead some to become arrogant and believe that they have reached the peak, but through faith Patterson was able to avoid that pitfall.
"Of course it felt good to break a collegiate record, but I try not to dwell on it," Jacory Patterson said. "I just try to keep pushing forward. It's really just a blessing from God. Without him I wouldn't have been able to do it. I'm just thankful that I was able to do it."
Patterson would go on to reset in his own school record in the 400 meters a month later at the Texas Tech Shootout, which is one of the biggest meets of the indoor season. Patterson would win the event with a time of 45.75, giving him the second-fastest mark in the country at the time.
With a spot secured at the NCAA Indoor Championships, his next goal was to win his third ACC individual title in the 400 meters.
When the ACC Indoor Championships came around in late February in South Bend, Indiana, Patterson just ran his race. By doing that, he won the event with a school record time of 45.66 and became the first Hokie to ever win the event in back-to-back seasons. His time of 45.66 was good enough for the sixth-fastest time in the country and qualified him for the NCAA Indoor Championships.
Though he wasn't able to compete at the NCAA championships due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
it was a season in which he was able to accomplish a lot of his goals.
"For the most part, I think I did what I wanted to do, but I still think there's room for improvement," Patterson said. "I thought it was all going to come together at Nationals, but I felt good about it for the most part."
With the remainder of the track and field season canceled, Patterson's goal now is to make sure he's ready for the 2021 season.
"We have to train right now as if we were in-season, but with lower intensity," Patterson said. "Since the season is from January to June you can't just take this time off. You have to be more disciplined now with what you're doing and what you eat."