Hokies sign South Carolina's top sprinter

South Carolina native Jacory Patterson inks with Virginia Tech

November 8, 2017

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech track and field and cross country director Dave Cianelli announced Wednesday that Jacory Patterson has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Hokies for the 2018-19 season.

“I’m super excited to have Jacory join the Hokie Family,” sprints coach Tim Vaught said. “I think the sky is the limit for him in this sport and I see him as a future Olympian.”

A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Patterson comes to Blacksburg as the reigning SCHSL champion in the 400-meter dash. Patterson is currently ranked No. 8 in the United States in the 400 meters at the high school level, as well as owning the No. 1 ranking for the top times (200, 400) in the Palmetto State.

“I chose Virginia Tech because I had a sense of being home,” Patterson said. “I felt comfortable around the coaches and the team. Coach Vaught is a great coach and even better person. I know he will push me because he knows what goals I have. This program is on the rise and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Patterson's best marks in the 100-meter dash is 10.42 seconds, 200 is 21.07 seconds and the 400 is 46.98, while in the long jump he's jumped 7.38 meters (24 ft., 2.5 in.)

The Hokies will open their 2018 indoor season at the Nittany Lion Challenge from Jan. 12-13, held at Penn State’s campus in State College.

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