After transfering from Montana State University to the University of Oklahoma just over a year ago, middle distance star Patrick Casey is ready for a big senior track season. After running a collegiate #1 mile time of 3:56.28 at the Razorback Invitational back at the end of January, Casey showed he's becoming a stronger athlete, as he ran a 7:52.80 3,000m time at the Husky Classic. Ranked as one of the top milers in the United States, Casey is driven to finish his collegiate career standing at the top of the podium.

Catching up with Casey this week, we discuss his transfer to Oklahoma, what it's meant to him to be part of such a strong distance squad and if he might take a shot at 5,000m this spring.

Scott Bush (SB): You're having a terrific start to your 2013 season. Is the season lining up as you had hoped, thus far?

Patrick Casey (PC): I am happy with how the season has started; it’s been nice to gain some early season confidence, but I still have a lot I want to accomplish before I will be satisfied with the season.

SB: There isn't a whole lot of time between the end of the cross country season and the start of the indoor track season. What type of work have you been putting in to be performing at such a high level?

PC: I took a week of down time, and then got back to training. I haven’t really done any crazy workouts or high mileage weeks. Maintaining consistency with my training, staying healthy, and following Coach Smith’s game plan have all played a role in my early season success.

SB: You stepped up to the 3,000m event this past weekend at the University of Washington. Any chance we'll see you take a stab at the 5,000m this indoor or outdoor season?

PC: I would say my chances of getting in a 5k this outdoor season are slim to none. But you never know...

SB: Since transferring to the University of Oklahoma, you've been part of a very strong team. How do you feel you've evolved as an athlete since joining the program?

PC: Transferring initially took some getting used to; there were a lot of differences between the program I left at Montana State and the one here at Oklahoma. Since joining the team last January, adjust to a different training philosophy. This took some getting used to, but once I bought into the program, a lot of improvement has followed.

In terms of evolving as a runner, I would say I have become more open-minded and mature as an athlete. I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of the team here at Oklahoma. We have a great group of guys, who work hard, and are committed to being the best they can be. I have to attribute a lot of my success this season to the help of the guys on the team and great coaching, on Coach Smith’s part.

SB: People don't know a whole lot about your background in the sport prior to your sub-4 clocking at Montana State. Can you give us a brief bio on yourself from high school up to this point?

PC: I went to high school in Laurel, MT. I won seven state titles between track and XC. I was also 14^th at the footlocker west regional meet. I wasn’t heavily recruited out of high school (apparently news of my 4:20 mile PR didn’t reach the larger out of state schools), so I decided to stay close to home and attend Montana State University. After a couple years at MSU under Coach Kennedy I was able to see a lot of improvement.

SB: This is your final collegiate season. Do you have any tentative plans at this point to continue running post-collegiately?

PC: Currently all my focus is on running well this indoor and outdoor season. I would love to continue my running career post-collegiately, but as of right now I have not made any plans.

SB: In an ideal world, how would you like to close out your senior indoor and outdoor track seasons?

PC: In a perfect world, I would love to end my senior year with a national title.

Quick Six 

SB: Spikes you race in?

PC: Nike Zoom Victory

SB: Favorite movie?

PC: Fight Club, or anything that has Ryan Gosling in it.

SB: Favorite snack?

PC: Peanut butter toast

SB: Best band?

PC: This changes on a weekly basis, but for the most part I’m a country music fan. So I’d probably have to go with Eric Church.

SB: College major?

PC: Multidisciplinary Studies

SB: Best part of Norman, Oklahoma?

PC: The people