Lynnfield’s Patterson gets prestigious honor

LYNNFIELD ? Lynnfield cross-country runner Tia Patterson’s excellent season just got even better.The senior was named a 2014 Wendy’s High School Heisman state winner, an honor that goes to one girl and one boy from each state. She found out about the award on Monday.?I thought it was pretty cool,” she said.Lynnfield High cross-country coach Joe DiBiase also thought it was pretty great.?She’s been an outstanding runner and leader in every way,” DiBiase said. “She’s been a state qualifier all four years. Even as a freshman she came in with high energy and has improved all four years.”DiBiase said Patterson worked very hard at her running in the offseason with help from Peabody High boys track coach Fernando Braz and his Going the Distance Program.?Last summer she logged some heavy miles,” he said. “She’s a first-class person, compassionate and friendly, and she has a good sense of humor .. She’s really easy to coach.”Although the award goes to an athlete, the winner must also shine in the classroom and in the community. Patterson does both.Patterson said her involvement in school activities probably helped make the difference. She?s vice president of her senior class, president of the school’s Habitat for Humanity organization, and president of the National Honor Society. She’s also a Girl Scout and last year received the Gold Award, which is equivalent to a Boy Scout becoming an Eagle Scout. She had to do an 80-hour project and hers involved creating a running club aimed at encouraging young people in the town to take up the sport at an early age.Patterson didn’t get started in running until the end of middle school.?I had played soccer forever, until the eighth grade,” she said.Her interest in running as a sport came about after competing in the town’s Fourth of July 5K. She did well and thought maybe she could be good at it.?I thought I’d give cross-country a shot,” she said.Patterson is in the process of deciding on a college and she’s hoping to run wherever she goes. She also runs winter and spring track.In addition to several firsts during the Cape Ann League dual meet season, Patterson had some strong performances in invitationals. She took fourth at the Frank Kelley Invitational in Wrentham, third at the Catholic Memorial Invitational at Franklin Park, and fifth at the CAL League meet at Bradley Palmer State Park. She also took fourth in the Division 6 meet and will compete in the All-States this weekend.The field of winners from each state will be narrowed to 12 national finalists by the end of this week. The national finalists will then travel to New York City for the Wendy?s High School Heisman Award banquet to be held Dec. 12 when the two national winners will be announced.