Feb. 4, 2009
IOWA CITY, IA – As University of Iowa freshman Patrick Richards trudges through the winter snows of Iowa City, he can’t help but think back to a memorable moment from his high school running days in Colorado.
“I’m anchoring my 4×400-meter relay team so I’m watching my teammate round the corner and I’m getting in position to go,” Richards remembers. “It was freezing out so I had a bunch of layers on. I was trying to get my pants off but they got stuck on my shoes, so I was just going to run with the outer pants on. Finally, someone tried to help me yank the pants off, and my shoes came off with them. I didn’t have time to put the shoes on, so I ran the anchor leg barefoot.”
When asked if he won, Richards says, “Of course,” exuding a quiet confidence that is present on and off the track. Richards made his presence known immediately at Iowa, winning the 300-meters (34.30) and anchoring the winning 1,600-meter relay team (3:19.67) in his collegiate-debut. His name keeps popping up on the results nearly every meet right alongside proven veterans. Richards likes the increased intensity of collegiate athletics.
“There’s definitely a lot more competition in college. I like it though. In high school, our team really didn’t have any strong competition.”
As a student-athlete at the University of Iowa, Richards has not neglected the “student” half of the equation.
“I like college classes a lot better. You can fit them around your schedule and actually have time for lunch. It’s less structured than high school. I really like Iowa’s Learning Center. It has a good quiet atmosphere and I can get a lot of work done.”
So whether he’s rubbing shoulders with the veterans on the track, watching movies in his room, or studying at the Learning Center, Patrick Richards is taking everything college life has to offer and enjoying every minute of it.
The Bio
Name: Patrick “Pac-Man” Richards
Birthday: August 6th, 1990
Major(s)/Minor(s): Pre-Business
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO
Goals for the Season: For the team to finish in the top three of the Big Ten
Favorite TV Show: Chapelle’s Show
Biggest Pet Peeve: Waking up early
Favorite Concert: Kanye West’s Glow in the Dark Tour (3rd row)
Last Movie I Saw and Was it Any Good: The Happening, it was garbage
Most Embarrassing Movie I Own: P.S. I Love You