Font ResizeSean Patterson classifies the first three years of his high school track and field experience as "nothing really special."
An above-average runner and a good hurdler, Patterson was a star on his New Oxford team, a close second to Dalton Slagle in the hurdles, but he didn't make much noise in the league.
Until this season.
Patterson pushed himself in the offseason, lining up a personal trainer to get into the best physical shape possible.
Not being able to do anything about his 5-foot, 8-inch stature, the senior wanted to be stronger and gain more power.
He went from skinny to solid, and the results have led to several first-place finishes in both the 110- and 300-meter hurdles this season.
Friday night, the results paid off in the form of a first-place finish at the YAIAA track and field championships at Dallastown High School.
Patterson edged out Eastern York's Ryan Dohm and Slagel in the 110 hurdles, winning in 15.06.
"I really started getting better when I learned how to hurdle," Patterson said of his improvement over last season's sixth-place finish at the league meet. "Once I got the three-step down, my speeds picked up. It's been a fun year."
A stumble at the end of the 300 hurdles cost him gold in his second event, but even after knocking a hurdle in his back kick, Patterson still managed to finish second with a time of 39.36, just one one-hundreth of a second behind Dohm, who won the event in 39.35.
The stumble disappointed Patterson.
Not
The reason was closer to home.
When Patterson joined the track team, he did so with huge shoes to fill.
David Patterson, his older brother, was a giant on the New Oxford squad.
He was a scorcher on the track, winning at the league meet and qualifying for districts and states.
The older Patterson graduated in 2003, but his name still tops the record board at New Oxford in the 300 hurdles.
Patterson grew up idolizing his brother's running ability.
He wanted to be like David.
When he got his first chance in seventh grade, Patterson joined the junior-high track team.
He was good, but he wasn't great.
Even up to last year, his junior season for the Colonials, his short frame seemed to prevent him from competing at the level his brother did, frustrating the younger Patterson.
"It had to be tough for him coming in with such a big shadow on the name," New Oxford coach Jason Warner said. "David was pretty outstanding in the hurdles."
Working with David and personal trainer Joe Lenker, Patterson changed his running style, dropping a step between hurdles in the 110 race, and getting faster in the 300 event.
His personal best prior to Friday was 39.77 in the 300. After Friday night, it was knocked down to 39.36.
David's school record -- 39 seconds flat.
He'll get at least one more chance at the District 3 championships next week.
At the meet in Shippensburg, he'll run against some of the best hurdlers the state has to offer.
The speedy competition could push Patterson past that elusive 39-second mark.
"I always wanted to run like my brother," Patterson said. "I want the school record in the 300. That's the one I want."
