Patrick Koon

Leon HS, Tallahassee, FL, c/o 2024
AthleticNET Bio

Patrick Koon's introduction to running came at a very young age. Growing up in Bentonville, Arkansas, 4 year old Patrick would accompany his dad, Bryan,  to the local Rush Running store who had an organized running group. He enjoyed the weekly track sessions and was “hooked.” At age 5 he completed his first 5k and then began racing five races throughout the year.

A move to Tallahassee didn’t curb Patrick’s love for running. He was a better than average runner and showed promise very early.  In the third grade, he finished 21st in the Tallahassee middle school cross country championships. By the seventh grade, he won the middle school cross country championships and won again in the  eighth grade. He also added the Florida Youth Running Associations(FLYRA)  Middle School Cross Country Championships as an eighth grader. 

Patrick has continued his ascent in the Florida high school history ranks capturing a 3A state cross country title the past two years and adding another in the 3,200m state title  this past year competing for Leon High School. Nationally, Patrick has stamped himself as one of the best all- time this past season. He finished fourth in the 5k  at the New Balance National Indoor meet in a time of 14:11.92, the sixth fastest time in US high school history. At Arcadia Invitational, he finished seventh in the 3,200m in 8:44.95, the tenth fastest time by a junior in US high school history.

This summer he has spent time training with the Young brothers and their Newbury Park teammates in Flagstaff, AZ to prepare himself for the upcoming season.

“I’m not surprised by an athlete usually,” says long time Leon Head Cross Country Coach Andrew Wills who has coached three sub 9 minute 3,200m in his career. “ Patrick surprises me all the time.”