In the fall of 2013, Joey FItzpatrick won the FLYRA Middle School Cross Country Championship. Fast forward, six months later and the Lake Weir Middle School eighth grader is trying to win his first middle school title on the track. Fitzpatrick let the rest of the state know he meant business after winning the FLYRA South Regional Championship 1500 meters in 4:19.26, a meet record and the nation's top mark for a middle schooler in that event. He also set a new meet record in the 3000 with a 9:41.78, and barely missed his third win of the day, losing the 800 with a 2:05.28, trailing by 1.6 seconds behind Isaiah Petit June. He says rather than fine tuning technique for the big meet, the past week he has been nursing a slight injury.
"The past ten days I've been out with an injured achilles that I hurt running uphill sprints. I haven't done anything at all except on Thursday I did an easy mile before getting in the car to go to Bradenton. I've been trying to rest during this time so I can hope for the best on Saturday. I'll test out the track and see how I'm doing."
Last year, Fitzpatrick 22nd in the 1500 and ran a time of 4:49.20. He was 16th in the 800 in 2:19.65. He attributes the growth to a literal growth and some lifestyle changes, and is ready for big things in Bradenton.
"In addition to a lot more training, I've also been paying attention to food, rest and really everything. I also grew about six inches since then and that has helped a lot. This year I plan on doing all three events at state. It's going to take all I have to bring home three gold medals."
Fitzpatrick is zoned for Belleview High School next year, but is considering other area schools with strong running programs. He says he is also looking forward to running with his older brother Boston on the high school stage.
"It will be his senior year. It will be neat to run with him because we started together when we were kids and help me get good when I was younger and to where I am at today."
Flrunners.com will be on-site at the FLYRA Middle School State Championships with photos, race videos, interviews, and a complete recap of all the action coming throughout the weekend!
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