Track success seems to run in the Patterson family.
    After watching older brother Jacory at both Hand and Dreher High, 8-year-old Jamey Patterson II decided to follow him.
    “I started track after watching my brother run for his high school track team,” he said. “I said ‘Ok this looks like it’s fun!’”
    Under the guidance of his parents and coaching of Anna Owens with the Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission track program, Patterson has amassed over 40 track and field medals. 
    Last weekend in Rome, Ga., the rising fourth grader at Pontiac Elementary School qualified in the 100 meters and long jump for the USATF Hershey National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships in Greensboro, N.C. 
    Patterson is one of two Palmetto State track and field athletes who will compete at the event.
    “I’m just excited about the opportunity to compete against the best 9-10 year olds in the nation,” he said. “My strongest events are the 100m and 200m dash, but I also love to do the long jump because I like jumping in the sand. I do the 400m dash too, but I need to get better.”
    Patterson enjoys the training and competition of track and field.
    His parents encouraged him to “believe in myself, in school and sports”. He hopes to finish first in all of his events this weekend competing against some of the nation’s top 9-10 year-old track and field athletes.
    Looking to the future, Patterson wants to keep his grades up so that he’ll compete on the middle and high school level.
    “I hope to run well in high school so that I can earn a college scholarship,” he said. “I hope to be one of the best in the state and nation in track and field.”