O'Fallon junior Patrick Perrier is one of the top runners on one of the top teams in the state of Illinois. Perrier finished 24th at the state meet in 2011 and placed in the top 25 at the Nike Cross Nationals Midwest Regional. See how he got started in the sport, his thoughts on the 2012 season, and find out more about him off the course as well in this Spotlight Athlete feature.
How did you get started running track and field and cross country?
I got started my sophmore year after playing varsity soccer and running track my freshman year. I had some really cool experiences during that time by breaking our school's freshman mile record previously held by Alex Riba and I also got to run in the 3A state finals as part of our 4x800 relay The coolest part was getting to be an All-American during that season by placing sixth in 4xmile relay at New Balance Outdoor Nationals. We had some great alumni convince me I could be good at cross country so I made a very tough choice to give up soccer and run cross country and it paid off.
Of all your races this year are there any that stick out the most?
i have to say that Peoria Notre Dame this year was pretty fun. Garrett Lee and Tyler Yunk have some very funny personalities and there were some jokes exchanged during the first half of the race. I also just felt really smooth and in control with Garrett for most of the race. He forced me to think and strategize that race, which I love to do. I really like the mental aspect of
racing.
racing.
What course do you like the best?
Well, like most illinois people I really like Detweiller, but I would have to say I also like mud mountain out in Edwardsville, Illinois.
Do you have any favorite workouts?
I love this workout that we do once a year called the Saluki Workout where we start with a mile hard, then a mile up tempo, then 1200 hard, mile up tempo, 800 hard, tempo, then a hard final 400. There is no rest in between so it shows who has the most guts.
This year's team has been off to a great start. What makes this squad so good?
This team is just so much more focused than we have ever been. We have one goal in mind and that is to run our best at the state meet. Our 3-7 have been working extremely hard to pack up and move towards being as fast as possible.
Is their any advice or words of wisdom you have gotten that have helped you in your running career?
The best advice I've gotten is from Coach Burnett when he says "I guarantee you nothing." He preaches to us that what has happened in the past is in the past and you constantly have to keep moving forward because everybody else around the state is moving forward too. Other than that I just want to give a shout out to all of my guys on the team. Alex Riba, Dorrian Gordon, Steve Chorma, Brennan Koester, and Evan Wesslund. They are working their tails off and making this team better.
Is their any advice or words of wisdom you have gotten that have helped you in your running career?
The best advice I've gotten is from Coach Burnett when he says "I guarantee you nothing." He preaches to us that what has happened in the past is in the past and you constantly have to keep moving forward because everybody else around the state is moving forward too. Other than that I just want to give a shout out to all of my guys on the team. Alex Riba, Dorrian Gordon, Steve Chorma, Brennan Koester, and Evan Wesslund. They are working their tails off and making this team better.
You were 22nd at state last year and 24th at Nike Regionals. What are your goals for this year?
For myself, the goal is to be a top five finisher at the state meet and run the fastest time possible. I also really want to qualify for Footlocker Nationals and NXN this year.
You are only a junior, but soon you will have to start thinking about your college choices, where you will run the next four years. Do you have any schools in mind?
For myself, the goal is to be a top five finisher at the state meet and run the fastest time possible. I also really want to qualify for Footlocker Nationals and NXN this year.
You are only a junior, but soon you will have to start thinking about your college choices, where you will run the next four years. Do you have any schools in mind?
I am pretty open as of now, but I have talked a little with Wisconsin, Indiana, and Notre Dame so far. My family are pretty big Notre Dame fans and the academics there are incredible. If I had the right opportunity to go there, that would be awesome.
Get To Know Patrick Perrier Off The Course
What are some things people might not know about you?
One thing many people don't know is that I am addicted to those little hostess chocolate cake donughts. I could just eat those things forever. I also am a little addicted to the color pink, we have pink fridays at practice and I go a little all out with pink pre- wrap, headband, socks, t-shirt, etc.
What are Pink Fridays?
A lot of the guys on the team like to wear pink to practice on Fridays. It's just a fun way of blowing off a little steam the day before meets.
You mentioned your love for doughnuts. You don't eat those before the meet do you?
Sadly no I do not eat the doughnuts before meets because I have a strict diet on race days. I have to have a footlong Subway club a certain way exactly two hours before I race. Most times Subway is closed at the time before we head to meets so I buy it the night before to keep in my fridge for the next day.
You mentioned your love for doughnuts. You don't eat those before the meet do you?
Sadly no I do not eat the doughnuts before meets because I have a strict diet on race days. I have to have a footlong Subway club a certain way exactly two hours before I race. Most times Subway is closed at the time before we head to meets so I buy it the night before to keep in my fridge for the next day.
What's on the Patrick Perrier Club?
It has to be on Italian bread with American cheese with lettuce, onion, tomato, spinach, pickles, mayo, and honey mustard. No exceptions. Never toasted.
