Junior Olympic Shot Put Champion Eyes Crespi School Record
Freshman Amir Patterson is making a name for himself in both football and track and field.
He may only be a freshman, but Amir Patterson has huge goals to make his mark on Crespi High athletics.
He's top prospect not only in football, but also in track and field.
"He was very well put together with a lot of athleticism, explosiveness, and quickness," said Brian Banducci, who coaches Crespi's frosh football team.
The 5-foot-11, 175-pounder was a terrific defensive end in football, but the goals are more lofty in track because Patterson is an age-group national champion in the shot put.
His winning throw in the shot put event at the Junior Olympics this past summer in Sacramento was 54 feet. He's also among the best in the discus and javelin.
"I was going to run track, but I had asthma and I was big so I tried the shot put," said Patterson. "I want to do 52 feet as a freshman, 62 feet as a sophomore, 68 feet as a junior and 75 feet as a senior."
If he reaches those goals he will eventually break the school record with a 12 pound shot of 67-6, set by Randy Cross in 1972.
Jess Garner, who is in his seventh year as the head track coach for the Celts, knows what he has in the 175-pound star.
"He's one of the best throwers we've ever had as a freshman, and he's got some pretty big shoes to fill," Garner said.
Those shoes belong to two-time Southern Section champion Brandon Greenberg, who concluded his career at Crespi last year with a best of 61-4 ½.
"His attention to studies and setting his foundation to be a good student and good citizen makes him someone that everyone in the freshman class looks up to. He was one of our team captains on the football team," Banducci said. "He is a very humble young man. He's just one of the guys and lets his actions speak for him."
Being an exceptional student athlete and budding two-sport star also means more work, and Patterson has no problem putting in the necessary time to become better.
"He's a special kid who will go out and do things on his own. He's got very high expectations and knows what it's going to take to reach those goals," Garner said.
Being a football player and shot putter requires strength, and Patterson definitely has that. As a freshman he's already power cleaning 185 pounds, bench pressing 200, squatting 230 and dead lifting 335.
"He's one of the top three strongest freshman I've ever had," Garner said.
Playing two sports that require strength, power and speed certainly has advantages for Patterson.
"The pushing of people in football and understanding of leverage will make him much better at both sports, and the quickness he got from football makes him quicker in the circle," Garner said.
There are many issues high school coaches face with athletes, and one of the biggest is personal trainers and coaches. Many times coaches get conflicting messages from kids and their coaches. Coach Garner and throws coach Tim Selby, who is in his fifth year, have been lucky because Patterson's personal coach Mike Mayer and the Crespi staff work very well together.
"Amir's personal coach is very supportive and understands that coach Selby is one of the most respected throws coaches around," Garner said. "We're all supportive of each other."
Amina Fakir
8:38 am on Tuesday, December 21, 2010
My family is prayerful for this young man. We have watched his Junior Olymic success over the years and know him to be a hard working athlete who takes the time to share his talents with younger athletes. He was our head Coach last year while training for competition himself. He is self motivated and an awesome role model! Go Amir Ali!
Michael Mayer
1:15 pm on Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Working with Amir for 5 years, I've learned to NEVER say he can't accomplish something. 75 feet? I certainly won't say no. Break the school and area record of 67' 6"? Definitely within his capabilities. a very exciting 4 springs ahead!
Mike Mayer
Devyn Johnson
2:04 pm on Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Amir is an amazing athlete and young man. I have watched him progress over the years, along with my daughter and I am very honored that I have been able to experience and know such a phenomenal young man.
Brittany Hope
3:23 pm on Monday, December 27, 2010
Amir is an amazing athlete, student, and friend. I go to Crespi's sister school, Louisville, and every girl at our school that knows him has complete respect for this young man. He will definetely soar in everything he tries, including breaking this record!
jamarle cooley
3:41 pm on Monday, December 27, 2010
your a beast!! keep it up and keep breaking records!!
Zachary Shagal
3:54 pm on Monday, December 27, 2010
You are a Monster!!! Keep it up and we'll see your name in the record books.
Sam Arnold
4:06 pm on Monday, December 27, 2010
Nice Bro! Good job and keep it up and you will for sure have the record!
Jordann Singleton
4:08 pm on Monday, December 27, 2010
Amir is a good kid on and off the field. He is not just a great shot putter, he is an amazing football player as well. He is good in the books as well, and a great friend. We are all looking forward to see Amir succeed in the Spring. Keep up the good work.
Collin Liberty
6:11 pm on Monday, December 27, 2010
ayy bro, good job! keep it all up, especially the academic part. it would be pretty cool to see you break the recored! maybe we might play eachother in football sometime
Jaylen Newman
6:51 pm on Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Keep on going like this bro and your going to achieve greatness, excuse me you've already got that, but your going to achieve it on another level
Brad Smith
7:00 pm on Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Amir Patterson is a beast! Thats why I dont go against him in hitting drills!
Christian Prudencio
7:06 pm on Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Of course he can break the record! Not only is Amir talented in football, but he is an excellent weightlifter. With his strength, he'll easily reach his senior goal by junior if he keeps it up.
Chloe Barnachea
7:20 pm on Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Amir Patterson is an amazing athlete! He will for sure break this record! Without a doubt.
Nadia abudalu
7:45 pm on Tuesday, December 28, 2010
WHOOP WHOOP GO AMIRR! your sucha beastt kidd(:
LaTina Fakir
8:32 am on Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Amir likes what he does He practices form and delivery. he is wouderful to watch. yes with the dedication he has he will break the record !!!
shari poindexter
1:27 pm on Thursday, December 30, 2010
Yes, he can break the record. He already has it in his mind and that's half the battle. The other half is dynamic athleticism and ability... He's got it in the bag. I'm so excited! WooHoo!
Anthony Martinez
9:16 pm on Thursday, December 30, 2010
Amir's got this one. He can definitely beat the record with that much beastliness.
Nick Mena
10:01 pm on Thursday, December 30, 2010
i definatley think amir has the determination and effort to break the record, i have the opportunity to be friends with a amir, and he has a winning spirit on and off the field. He definatley has what it takes to become great in track and field, and also football.
Gino Gasbarro
10:13 pm on Thursday, December 30, 2010
Amir is a beast monster and can EASILY break all these records!!
Riley Johann Sullivan
10:26 pm on Thursday, December 30, 2010
Amir is one amazing athlete. He definitely is determined to break the records, and with his can-do attitude, he can very much do so. He's an amazing football player and I know he is one phenomenal shot-putter. I wish him the best, he is a very great kid.
Jeremy Finch
10:38 pm on Thursday, December 30, 2010
Amir Muhammad ali P-son will break the record by the end of freshman year in my opinion. His strength is a god-given gift. Amir is one very talented kid in my point of view, i think with his his mental toughness and the great teaching at CRESPI CARMELITE HIGHSCHOOL he will easily break the record FOSHO no doubt im out
Thomas Wall
7:24 pm on Friday, December 31, 2010
Amir is an amazing athlete who undoubtedly will exceed all of his athletic and academic goals
Kevin Meskew
4:04 pm on Thursday, May 19, 2011
As a younger brother of 2 Crespi students, I got to see Randy Cross throw and play a few times in his days at CC, and you could tell then, even as an underclassman, he was headed to stardom. Hoping to see history repeat itself, in the SP ring and the gridiron, and it seems we're talking about a young man who has his priorities set straight. (just take it easy on my Alemany Warriors)...
Looks like you've already taken Cross' frosh record with the 12 lb'er!
William D. Costigan
9:43 pm on Wednesday, June 1, 2011
I'm a Crespi alumni who plkayed football two years after Randy Cross. I was only on the JV team but I still remember what a great athelete Randy was. He was big and strong but he also had speed. Good luck to you son! and remember to get a good education along the way. BIll C