Javon Patterson has had a very successful season especially in the 800m. He ran on some big stages such as Florida Relays, Disney High School Track and Field Showcase, Louie Bing, and Golden South. He posted his fastest time of the season at Florida Relays when he ran 1:52.04. Many thought it was a fluke, but each time after that in different race situations and against different athletes Patterson showed up and showed out. Patterson ran 1:55 and faster more than seven times this season. Two of those times were when he blew away his competition at his FHSAA 3A District and Regional meet. Even though Javon is known for his 800m, he was also a pivotal leg on the 3A State Runner Up 4x400m relay as well as their 6th place finish in the 4x800m from the slow heat.
This weekend Javon will compete in a totally new territory, with different athletes and new eyes watching. On June 14th and 15th Patterson will be competing at the 2014 National Junior Championships to try and make Jamaica’s World Junior Team. This is his first time competing outside the country; an experience he will never forget. In order to have a shot to make the team he’ll have to go through some stiff competition.
Last year’s Under 20 winner, Chadoye Dawson (Spalding High School) ran 1:52.04, blowing away the rest of the field by five seconds. This year it looks like he’s been focusing on getting stronger as Dawson has run a couple 1500m’s, his fastest this year being 4:06. Other big competitors are Kevon Robinson also of Spalding High School who comes in with a time of 1:51.97, which he ran at the LIME JAAA Carifita Trials placing 2nd. Miguel Morrison (Kingston College) also ran at the Carifita Trials and placed 3rd, running 1:52.55. Also in the mix of these guys is Theodore Hamilton who is coming in with the 2nd fastest time from Calabar High. Patterson has the 3rd overall fastest time out of the 14 guys in the field.
Patterson is going against some elite competition and will basically have to PR to make the team. Watching him race this season, as long as he stays out of trouble in the race, as well as trusts his training, there is no reason he can’t punch his ticket to Oregon.