By Mike Moguin
Norman senior Collin Patterson has been busy throughout his high school career.
The Tiger football and track athlete served as a class officer for the past two years.
“I was the sophomore vice president, the junior class president, and I was also part of the prom committee and the Norman High Fishing Club,” Patterson said.
Wearing the black and orange is special for Patterson, who plays offensive tackle and long-snapper on special teams.
“The best part about representing Norman High School is that I get to be a part of the history of Norman High, and I get to wear the same name on my jersey as the rest of my family did.”
Patterson is the first in his family to play the gridiron. He did play soccer himself as a freshman. His parents played soccer for Norman High, his older brother played baseball, and his aunts on his mother’s side attended NHS. He has a younger brother, Cotton, who also plays football and runs track. This Tiger also likes the direction his program has been going.
“I am most proud of our team’s success we had the last two seasons because we did things Norman High hasn’t done in a long time,” Patterson said.
One thing the Tigers did last season was accomplish a stunning upset of eventual Class 6AI state champion Bixby, who has won 10 state championships in 11 years, in the final game of the regular season.
“It was insane,” Patterson said. “It was great to celebrate with my friends, and then get to see my family after the game. My older brother didn’t get to come to a lot of my games because he is in college, but he was at that game. It was so awesome to have my whole family there after that win.” Patterson adds, “Football has taught me to always keep my composure and has taught me hard work.”
People who have inspired Patterson throughout his life are his parents, his sixth-grade teacher, and a teammate.
“My parents inspire me because they are both leaders, and people look up to them, and I want to be just like them,” he said. “My favorite teacher is Daniel Kitchle from sixth grade. He is such a nice person, and he and I became best friends. We are at different schools now, but he still supports me,” Patterson said.
“The teammate that has left the biggest impression on me is Deuce Trenary,” Patterson adds. “He has helped me become a better football player and a better thrower, but he was also a very good friend who was a senior when I was a freshman.”
The best advice anyone has given Patterson, he said, is “‘Just have fun.’ A lot of people have told me this, and this has helped me relax in all of my sports.”
Patterson thanks all of his coaches at Norman High and Irving Middle School for the success he is having in high school athletics.
“I would like to shout out to Coach Irwin, Coach Watson, and Coach Mouse, my line coaches in middle school, both Coach Kitchle’s, and I want to shout out to my best friend, Coach B. W. Trenary. He has been my o-line coach for the past two years, going on three, and he has pushed me and helped me become the football player I am today. I appreciate him for being kind to me and my family. He is the best.”
