Hoover's junior cross country runner Patrick McGregor is not impressed by winning the 2007 Class 6A state individual title by nine seconds or being named the Gatorade Alabama Boys Runner of the Year, because that's what keeps him motivated to win races.

"It's nice to win awards and win state, but to me it's just another check on a list of goals," McGregor said. "The way I see it, you go to high school once and you only get one shot, so why not win?"

The Bucs program has a history of statewide success in cross country after winning eight of the last 11 state team titles along with three individual champions this decade.

"He has a chance to be the best I've ever coached, and that's saying something," Hoover head coach Devon Hind said.

McGregor looked at the 2007 state race, which he won with a time of 15:38.25, as one of the easiest runs he's had in competition.

"I didn't really give an all-out 100 percent," McGregor said, "I knew I was the best so I only kicked during the final part."

Hind believes if in his senior year his star runner can develop consistency in his workouts, McGregor could be headed for national prominence.

"I think in the past he had sold himself short and he's not doing that anymore," Hind said. "I think he understands now he can compete in the Southeastern Conference once he leaves here."

Many high-profile college coaches would agree with Hind as McGregor has already been contacted by several of the best cross country programs in the country.

The competitive motivation suddenly came to McGregor as a freshman after finishing fourth at the Nike Indoor National mile run.

"I finished that race and thought I'm just as good as them," McGregor said.

Next season, McGregor doesn't see defending his state title and becoming the fifth straight runner to win back-to-back as a top priority because he has higher goals.

"I want to run a sub four-minute mile; I want to be the best in the country and then when I do that I still won't be satisfied," McGregor said.

One of those lofty achievements he hopes to cross off his list is breaking the state 5K state record set by his former teammate Robert Bedsole. In 2003, Bedsole set the mark with a time of 15:11.23.

"I could've gotten that this year but I wanted to make sure I won," McGregor said. "If I run the way I know I can, those records will come soon."

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