Carson Patten has been one of the third-ranked Mustang Broncos’ top leaders and best runners all season.
The senior harrier helped guide the Broncos to a pair of wins in 2023, including the Mustang Harrier night race and the Westmoore Jaguar Jamboree. He recently finished seventh overall in the Class 6A West Regional Meet at Wild Horse Park, helping the Broncos once again qualify for the State Championship Meet this weekend at Edmond Santa Fe.
He cracked the 16-minute mark in two of his last three races, including the Central Oklahoma Athletics Conference Meet (15:43.4) and the Chile Pepper Festival’s “El Caliente” 5K in Arkansas (15:50.1).
But what about Patten’s favorite movie? Who does he listen to when getting hyped for meets? What is his favorite aspect about being a Bronco?
Check out the answers to these questions and more below!
Q: What is your favorite hobby outside of cross country and running?
I enjoy playing basketball with my friends or anybody who is willing to play. I like to play at outdoor courts in neighborhoods around Mustang or in the gym at my church.
Q: What is your favorite moment from running cross country?
My favorite moment from cross country was probably from last year when we kind of snuck up on everyone and won conference. It gave us a little boost of confidence heading into regionals and state.
Q: What is the best aspect about running cross country for Mustang?
The togetherness we have on the team is great and we have fun being around each other. Mustang also has a good history with distance running under coach (Mike) McGarry so it’s fun having teams like Yukon be afraid of us.
Q: What is your favorite sports team?
The Thunder are my favorite professional team and Oklahoma is my favorite college team.
Carson Patten (Sr.), in the 1049 bib, races with the front of the pack at the 2023 COAC meet at Deer Creek High School earlier this season. Patten helped lead the Broncos to second place overall in the Class 6A West Regional Meet last week, helping the team once again qualify for state. (Photo by Trey Hunter)
Q: Who is your favorite athlete?
Kyler Mitchell, the captain of the Mustang boys JV soccer team. He inspires me to be the best I can be.
Q: Who is your biggest inspiration?
Jesus Christ. The Bible tell us to strive to live like Jesus, so I pray that my life would reflect Christ’s.
Q: Favorite breakfast cereal?
Cap’n Crunch’s Peanut Butter Crunch or Reese’s Puffs. Peanut butter cereal is just unmatched in my opinion.
Q: Favorite movie and TV show?
“Phineas & Ferb” was one of the best TV shows back in the day. “Elf” is probably my favorite movie. I could watch it any time of the year.
Q: Favorite music artist?
Bruno Mars probably has most of my favorite songs so I’ll say him.
Q: Favorite ice cream flavor?
I’m kind of plain so I when I go to Braum’s I just get a chocolate milkshake every time.
Q: What are your plans after high school? College? If so, what are you wanting to study?
After high school I plan to go to run in college and study either journalism or English education because I like to write and English is my best subject.
Q: What is a career path you have in mind after school and sports?
If I go into education I would like to be a middle school or high school English teacher and possibly help out with the running teams if I get the chance.
Q: Do you have any siblings? Do they play sports?
I have one sister, Lauren Patten. She is on the basketball team. She turns 15 soon and she is going to have a great freshman season.
Q: Did your parents play sports in high school or college?
My dad played baseball and basketball in high school. My mom ran track and also played basketball.
Q: What sports did you grow up playing?
I played basketball until my sophomore year. I also played t-ball, soccer, and football, but didn’t stick with them for very long.
Q: Are you originally from Oklahoma? Have you lived or grown up in Mustang your entire life?
I have grown up mostly in Mustang, but I lived in Cache when I was younger.
Q: Do you play any other sports for Mustang?
Track and field.
Q: Are you committed to run in college? If so, where? If not, what schools do you have in mind or have interest in?
I am not committed yet, but I have visited Rogers State, OBU, SNU and have a visit scheduled for OCU.
Q: Where is a place you have always wanted to visit?
I want to visit Seattle because I want to go to the top of the space needle. Also, the seafood is probably good there.
Q: Who would you vote for as best athlete at MHS – boys and girls?
I may be biased but I think Aiden Edwards is the best athlete because he is a two-time state champion. He is literally the best in Oklahoma at what he does. Girls: Kassidi Watkins. For the same reason, she was just injured last year.
Q: What is the best aspect of running for Mike McGarry and the Mustang coaching staff?
Coach McGarry has coached a lot of great teams and runners so I can trust in his training. It has proven to work. He also cares a lot about his runners and encourages us to make the most out of our lives and appreciate the little things.
Q: What are some of the best aspects of running with this group of seniors? What is your favorite memory?
We like being around each other and we are all friends outside of the sport. My favorite memory from this season was staying the night in Arkansas. We had a great time with 20 of us having fun in our hotel room.
