Patrick Larrison goes out with a bang

By Michael Kinney

It had almost become a formality for Patrick Larrison. Each time the Moore High thrower would step on the podium to receive his first-place medal, the words "new meet record" were seemingly always attached to his name.

It didn't seem to matter whether it was in the shot put or discus, Larrison seemed to be on a personal quest to own every meet record around the state as he went undefeated in 2018. That included setting new marks at the 6A State Track and Field Championships.

At the Meet of Champions May 15, Larrison threw a personal best 67-06 in the shot put to add another meet record to his collection. That is two-feet farther than his state meet record.

Larrison's ranks his shot put performance at the Meet of Champions right up there with his record-breaking throw in the discus to the state meet.

"I'd say today was a pretty good highlight," Larrison said. "Today and state. I mean, hitting that 210 for the first time at state was a huge accomplishment. I mean, I never even thought I'd hit that. After I hit the 200, it seemed like 200 was a huge mark, then I was consistent there. Now at 210, now I'm consistent at 210, so the sky's the limit right now."

At the Meet of Champions, Larrison's new PR in the shot put came right after his Moore teammate, Michael Releford, threw his own career best of 61-09.

"I just love the energy of every throw. I mean, especially with Big Mike throwing a huge PR," Larrison said. "It seemed like every throw he was in the PR. I mean he was just doing so good. I mean, the energy just built. With him going right in front of me, I mean it was just great."

Almost every meet Larrison has competed in, Releford has been throwing right in front of him. And it has helped both throwers be at their best.

"That's all you can really do for your teammate," Larrison said. " I mean, he pumps me up and I pump him up. I mean we both know what to do, we put the work in all week, not all week, all season, all offseason, past three or four years. I mean it's just been a huge process, it's certainly paid out."

Yet, despite all of the records Larrison racked up this season, the consummate perfectionist was still not satisfied. Just like after his junior year when he won state in the shot put and discus, he concentrated on the flaws in his game.

"Still not happy. I mean, I got so much more to build on," Larrison said. "I mean, there's so many technique problems with my discus. I got some big stuff coming. Shot put, we'll get there."

According to MileSplit.com, Larrison has the top discus throw this year in the country at 210-09. He is eight-feet ahead of second place Sam Welsh of Concord Academy (MA.)

Larrison's top throw of 67-06 in the shot put places him third in the nation behind John Meyer Jr. of Lockport High (Ill.) and Tyson Jones of Desert Edge High (Az.). They each have topped 70-feet. (Releford is ranked 27^th)

However, Larrison is the No. 1 combined thrower (both the shot put and discus) in the country.

"I just wanna build myself as high as I can for the next level, and just go beyond there, see where that takes me," Larrison said.

The Meet of Champions was the last meet for Larrison as members of the Moore High throwing squad. He will be heading off to the University of Kanas to compete with the Jayhawks track and field team.

"I'm super excited to start the next chapter in my life," Larrison said. "Finish this season out, close it. I'm just happy to wear the colors I wear now, and ready to move on to the next."

Before he heads to Kansas, Larrison will compete at nationals in North Carolina. He will take the same mindset he has used to six state titles as he competes against the best in the nation.

"I just expect to go big, maybe PR," Larrison said. " I mean, that's always what it is."

Cutline: Moore's Michael Releford is ranked 27th in the nation in the shot put