Big River Interview: Pat Cole

Part One of a Four-Part series

Fort Zumwalt South senior Pat Cole is one member of the fearsome foursome that has turned the Bulldogs into the dominant distance powerhouse in Missouri Class 4 competition for the past few years. Cole and teammates Kyle Rood, Brandon Funderburk and Ryan Moore helped Zumwalt South capture back-to-back State Cross Country titles in 2005 and 2006 and all four will be key cogs in Zumwalt's bid for a State Track Title this spring. Cole himself is a two-time All-State perfomer in cross country and was a part of Zumwalt's seventh place 3200 meter relay squad at the 2006 State Track Meet. Big River caught up with Pat after a low-key meet at Fort Zumwalt West where he ran the 3200 meter relay and the 3200 meter run.

BR: So how did the meet go?

PC: We didn't really run our big 4 x 8 team today. We just kind of had an odds and ends team out there so we only ran 8:29.

BR: And what was your split?

PC: I went 1:58.

BR: And how about the 2 mile?

PC: I think I ran 9:50. It's not where I want to be right now. I was by myself out there though.

BR: How did your opening meet go a couple of weeks ago?

PC: It went really good. That's when we ran our 8:03 [in the 4 x 800]. Me, Kyle, Brandon and Ryan ran that one.

BR: Well, you guys are certainly off to a good start. Tell us a little bit about your winter training and then through how the first month of the season went.

PC: We all four hit it really hard over the winter. It was mostly just high mileage, like 60-70 a week and then the last month we did some hill workouts. After that is when we started some hard track workouts.

BR: Obviously you guys have a great group at Zumwalt South. Talk a little bit about what it is that makes you guys so tough.

PC: It's just that with all four of us everyone gives it 100% at every practice. Everyone pushes each other and encourages each other all the time.

BR: Give us a key Zumwalt South Workout that tells you guys you are fit and ready to go.

PC: I would say every Wednesday right now we do 12 400s at a 1:1 ratio of rest. It's a pretty tough workout. Right now I think Kyle averaged 66. Ryan Moore and I were 67.

BR: For the four of you what is the goal this season?

PC: Our ultimate goal is another State Championship in the 4 x 800. There is not as much emphasis on individual goals.

BR: What about a time for the 4 x 8 and what about the rumor that you might try throwing Andre' Thomas, the State 400 Champ, into the mix?

PC: The school record is 7:47 so we'd like to hit that for a time. The A-team right now is me, Ryan Moore, Brandon Funderburk and Kyle Rood. We're still working with Andre'. He ran it today for the first time and split 2:10. It's not where we want him to be eventually but it's a good start.

BR: What individual event do you think you will run at Districts/ Sectional/ State?

PC: I think it will either be the mile or the 2 mile. I'd like it to be the 2 mile but there are a lot of good runners in the 2 mile this year. Our sectional will have Sam Masters [of Columbia Hickman], Phillip King [Rock Bridge], and Rick Elliot [Springfield Kickapoo].

BR: Let's back up for a minute and talk about the State Cross Country Meet. That was an unbelievable day for you guys and you had a phenomenal race individually. Take us through that experience.

PC: At State we didn't want to hold anything back. We had done such big mileage and we had worked so hard. We felt like we were the, or one of the, hardest working teams in the State. We really felt like the only team that could beat us would be ourselves. My strategy was really just to keep Kyle in sight and try to catch up at the end. I really gave it everything I had past the top of Firehouse Hill.

BR: Were you surprised when you saw your time?

PC: Yeah, 15:55. The race was fast but it didn't feel that fast.

BR: You have a pretty unique background in that you were a hockey player before you became a runner. Talk a little bit about that and about the transition from the ice to the roads.

PC: My freshman year I played varsity Ice Hockey and Roller Hockey. I ran to keep in shape for hockey- that's what I cared about at the time. My sophomore year I did the same two things. I also play club hockey for Team Missouri and we have won nationals. It was really Coach Enke who encouraged me with my running and told me I could really be something in running. Finally my junior year I started running full time. Going from hockey to cross country was a good transition because in hockey everything is really rowdy, there's a lot of trash talk, everybody's cussing. In cross country guys from other teams are friendly with each other. Everybody really encourages each other. It was a nice change.

BR: So you have kept playing Club Hockey for Team Missouri. Will you play this summer again?

PC: I haven't decided yet if I'll pay this summer or not. It's a tough decision because it's something that I've always loved and it's hard to completely give it up.

BR: And what position do you play?

PC: I play center. I'm the guy who takes all the faceoffs!

BR: I know that you have chosen to go to Iowa State for college. What was the decision-making process like for you?

PC: I went on my official visit to Iowa State at the end of January and I absolutely loved it. Coach Ihmels is a great coach and I loved the school. It was perfect for me, everything I could want out of a school. Running was just a little extra bonus.

BR: When it's all said and done for you, Kyle, Ryan and Brandon this Spring what do you hope the younger guys on the team take with them from seeing you guys over the years.

PC: I hope they look at us as four guys that were putting in the hard work every day we were here. I hope they look at us as role models and that because of us they know what it takes to be successful.

Thanks for a great interview Pat. Best of Luck this season!!

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