Excited! If Kara Patterson had only one word to describe her emotions this year, it would be excited. Kara is excited to be competing again after a significant back injury that caused her to sit out the 2007 outdoor season. Kara developed a stress fracture in her lower back that could truly only be healed with time. Although it was difficult to sit out the 2007 season, she learned a lot about her mental capabilities and perspective on life. The year spent healing her body allowed her to realize that which shouldn’t be taken for granted, such as her talent and work ethic. She has learned to balance her athletics and her academics in order to prepare herself for each day as well as the future.

As a junior majoring in Nutrition, Fitness, and Health; Kara is excited to learn in the classroom and apply it to her own life. “I have learned how to eat for energy purposes and to take care of my body instead of just filling up my stomach. It is really exciting to take what I am learning and use the knowledge to be healthy. I also like to get up early and have learned that I have to go to bed earlier to get all the rest that I need to get through my day.”

Kara seems to have found the recipe for success! After an outstanding freshman and sophomore campaign that garnered a 2005 Big Ten Championship, 2006 Big Ten Runner-up finish, consecutive NCAA Mideast Regional titles and a silver medal at the 2005 Pan American Games, Kara has certainly healed perfectly during her redshirt season. This season Kara has shattered the Purdue and U. S. Collegiate records and is only the second American woman to ever throw over 200 feet in the javelin. Her record-breaking launch of 61.56 meters (202-00) exceeds the “A” standard for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and is the top throw by an American in 2008, placing her second only to the current American Record holder, Kim Kreiner, on the U.S. all-time list.
In her come-back season, Kara has collected a list of prestigious awards to add to her collection:

• 2008 USTFCCCA Great Lakes Region Women's Field Athlete of the Year
• 2008 USTFCCCA All-Region Team
• 2008 Big Ten Women's Field Athlete of the Year
• 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Qualifier
• 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifier
• Purdue Record Holder (61.56 meters/202-00)
• U.S. Collegiate Record Holder (61.56 meters/202-00)
• Second American woman to ever throw over 200 feet
• Second all-time in NCAA and U.S. history

Her academic performance is equally impressive, having been awarded a spot on the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V Track and Field Team. To be eligible for this honor a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA, must be a significant contributor to the team and be in at least their second season at their current school. Kara also earned 2008 Academic All Big-Ten honors to add to her 2006 and 2007 Academic All Big-Ten awards.

Although Kara hopes to continue her athletic career for awhile after college, she can also envision herself working in the realm of Public Health, possibly in emergency food assistance programs. For now, her day begins as early as 7:00 a.m. in order to make it to class by 7:30 a.m. with classes until about 10:30 a.m., when she runs home for lunch and prepares for her afternoon class at 1:30 p.m. and practice thereafter. Typically, Kara says she heads straight from class to the track for her practice session, which can last up to 4 hours depending on whether she has to head to the weight room as well. “I am excited to have people in my life that understand my life and support and inspire me to succeed,” she said. She credits her coach, roommate and family for keeping her motivated and grounded. In fact, her roommate Mallory Peck (Pole Vault) motivated Kara through her injury simply by sharing her own athletic successes. “It was awesome to experience that with Mallory and she is also there for me outside of track, we share a great friendship,” Patterson said. She credits her coach in helping her by believing in her and sharing his own competitive experience and vast knowledge of track and field.

Patterson is excited about working hard in and out of the classroom and enjoying the experience. She keeps organized and on task with her laptop computer that she usually has with her. If you happen to drop by the Village Coffee Shop in the evening, you may find her studying there. “I love to go down to Chauncey and study, it keeps me focused and it has caffeine available!” Her evenings are filled with studying and preparing for the next day, although she still tries to be in bed by 11 p.m. most nights. Patterson said that she is excited about every single day and what it brings in the classroom, on the track and in life. She just wants to enjoy it as much as possible. For this high-caliber student-athlete, each day truly is filled with excitement!