STARKVILLE — Kate Mattox and Patton Little don’t have to look far for motivation.
The Starkville High School track and field athletes are two of the top runners in the state of Mississippi. Instead of turning their status into a friendly rivalry, they work together and use their talents to push one another.
“I think they definitely encourage one another to do their best,” Starkville High girls track and field coach Caroline Woomer said.
Mattox and Little continued to deliver their best efforts Saturday at the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A, Region 2 meet at Madison Central High. Mattox won the 3,200 meters (11 minutes, 24 seconds) and the 1,600 (5:06). Little won the 1,600 (4:32) and 800 (2:02).
For their efforts, Mattox and Little are The Dispatch’s Prep Players of the Week.
Little and Mattox were named the 2015-16 Gatorade Cross Country Runners of the Year for the state of Mississippi earlier this year for their efforts in the fall.
Mattox, a junior, said working with Little has been helpful because they lift each other up.
“It’s very motivating,” Mattox said. “I’m proud of all the work he has put into it. I think it’s really cool. It was our goal at the beginning of the season. We were like, ‘We should both shoot for Gatorade runner.’ ”
Little, who signed with Southern Mississippi, won the state title in the 1,600 last season. He is excited about the opportunity to win the 800 in his final year with the Yellow Jackets.
He, Mattox, and the rest of the teams will compete Saturday at the MHSAA North State meet at Madison Central.
“I want to win every event I’m in at state because I want to finish senior year with a bang,” Little said.
Mattox also has motivations. She said her faith in God and her teammates keeps her focused. She doesn’t want to squander the gift of running and has enjoyed this season with her younger sister, Caroline.
Like Patton, Mattox wants to run at the next level, which pushes her to go even harder.
“I really want to run in college, so that’s really keeping me on my toes and making me want to work hard,” Mattox said.
There is no doubt in Woomer’s mind Mattox can compete at the next level. She believes the offers will start to come this summer.
Little gave up tennis before the 2014-15 season so he could focus on cross country and track and field. Mattox has been running from a young age. For both, it has become a routine. Mattox said she doesn’t know what to do with herself when the team takes a week off.
“She is still as nervous and as excited about every race we have,” Woomer said. “She has high emotions to deal with. She doesn’t take any race for granted. Every race she goes out and fights as hard as she can fight, especially this year. She’s really had to fight for her spot. Maybe early in the season she was going through the motions.”
Starkville High boys track and field coach Steven Griffin doesn’t think the word routine fits what is happening for Little.
“When you get to that point where you’re really focused and you really, really want it, you get energized,” Griffin said.
Griffin said Little’s accomplishments don’t surprise him because he has seen him put everything on the line to succeed.
Woomer said it is “exciting” that Mattox and Little will continue to inspire one another. She said both student-athletes have excelled as leaders and have been sources of motivation for their teammates.
“Patton’s done really well bringing along the guys that run with him, and Kate does the same thing. She really encourages her teammates,” Woomer said.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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