WAVERLY — From the often torn up streets of Murray to two-time All-American.
That’s the journey Central College rising junior Kate Patton has taken in the past two short years.
Patton never had a track to train on at Murray, but that hasn’t stopped her from becoming a two-time All-American for the Dutch track and field team.
“I never forget Murray. I attribute a lot of my success to those in Murray,” Patton said. “It’s a huge transition from running on the streets of Murray and dodging potholes to having an indoor and outdoor track. If it wasn’t for those potholed streets, I wouldn’t be where I am now. I’m thankful for those potholed streets.”
The Murray native capped her sophomore campaign here recently at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships hosted by Wartburg College.
Patton and her Dutch teammates placed seventh in the 4x400 relay, giving Patton her second All-American honor. She earned All-American honors during the indoor season as a freshman.
The Dutch team of Ashlee Downs, Patton, Hope Heitman and Abigail Davis qualified in the sixth position to finals, running 3:46.94, a season’s best, which was only about half a second off the school record.
Patton ran her season’s best split on the second leg of prelims, running a 58.3.
In the May 28 finals, Central ran 3:48.94 for seventh place.
The Dutch were quickly separated from the lead pack, running by themselves.
“I think I got the baton around fifth or sixth,” Patton said. “When I handed off, I was in seventh. We anchored our All-American. She got out hard and ran her best, but wasn’t able to pick anybody off.”
The seventh-place finish wasn’t what Patton and her teammates had hoped for out of finals, but receiving All-American honors was still a big accomplishment for the team.
“It’s an incredible honor,” Patton said. “I remember sitting in one of my classes as a freshman. There was an upperclassman talking about what it takes to be All-American. He said you have to be top eight. I remember thinking that’d never happen. It’s a dream come true. I never had the confidence in myself that I would be it (All-American). Now we’re trying to go for three-time All-American in three years. That’s my goal for next year.”
Patton said she was thankful that nationals were in Iowa this year, and that she had so many friends and family there to support her.
Patton was also recently named to the Division II Academic All-District 8 team, presented by College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
To be eligible for consideration, a student-athlete must be a starter or key reserve at the varsity level and achieve a 3.30 or better cumulative grade point average. Patton is now under consideration for Academic All-America honors.
Patton is an exercise science major with a 3.96 GPA.