Published: October 28, 2009 12:01 pm      

Lone distance runner

The McAlester Buffaloes’ all-terrain runner Patrick Ramsey qualified for the state cross country meet, Saturday at Mitch Park in Edmond. Ramsey, a junior at McAlester High School, qualified in the 5K run, 19.14, at the Regional meet Oct. 24 in Tulsa.

Ramsey ran 3.1 miles over a rough, muddy course and “usually runs better times,” according to Head Coach Suzanne Carney.

“He (Ramsey) has run three years for McAlester, every year he’s been here,” Carney said. “He’s had a really good season despite our team not qualifying for state but he was able to qualify as an individual.”

The McAlester’s long-distance runner must better his time more than one minute if he wants to win the state championship to join the ranks of Tommy Ward, McAlester’s only cross country state winner — who won in 1965 when McAlester was a Class A school.

As a junior, Ramsey should gain experience, if anything, at the state competition. He will race against 13 individual qualifiers and 14 other teams.

Ramsey will have a slight disadvantage running solo against a large crowd. Teammates seem to run better when they are paced by other individuals.

The upside to Ramsey’s lone status, is that he can “chase the rabbit.” Just like a gray hound dog race, Ramsey could follow the leaders and pace himself as he plays “catch up.” Running with an individual could slow Ramsey’s pace down.

Carney has worked with Ramsey on his running technique to better his chances at state.

“His strength is the last quarter mile on the course,” Carney said. “He’s got a really good kick.

“We marked the course for Ramsey on the last quarter-mile,” Carney said. “We’ve been running practices that consisted of running 13 to 20, 400 meter sprints. The last ones he was running were almost breaking 60 seconds.”

The last quarter mile Ramsey ran was at the regional meet. He passed over 10 runners to help him qualify for state, according to Carney.

“Ramsey’s got a lot of heart,” Carney said. “He’s got some guts that keep him very competitive.”

Contact Porky Falcon at pfalcon@mcalesternews.com