Lance Patrick is a Hudson Tiger, well; at least he was at one time. Now he is a Hillsdale Hornet. How Patrick went from a Tiger to a Hornet is a long story that is best left untold. However, it definitely is worth mentioning that this young man made a mistake, learned from it, suffered the consequences of his actions and now has turned things around. Patrick is a senior this school year at Hillsdale High School and is a star athlete. He was one of the Hornets top performers in football this past fall as he helped lead the team to the state football semifinals. Now in wrestling he is having a stellar campaign with a record of 35-3 overall and he is 31-0 at 171 pounds where he will wrestle at that weight in the post season.

Patrick spent his first two years of high school at Hudson playing football, wrestling and as a member of the baseball team in the spring. It was in the spring of 2005 that things suddenly took a turn for the worse for Patrick, as he was involved in some locker room extracurricular activities that got out of hand and resulted in his suspension from school for the last couple of weeks of the spring semester. Patrick expected to return to Hudson in the fall of 2005 but was told he was no longer welcome as a student-athlete at the North Maple Grove address. The Hudson coaches knew they were losing a standout athlete and by most accounts a fine young man who made a poor choice and suffered the ultimate punishment. He was not allowed to attend school at Hudson due to his expulsion and when the first day of school began for the 2005-06 school year Patrick watched his brothers Lucas and Daniel head to school and he was left at home. "That was probably the lowest moment for me," said Patrick, 17, who now is on track to graduate this spring from Hillsdale. "I loved school and suddenly realized I had no place to go. I learned the saying about not knowing what you have until it's gone is true. I was not in school and wanted to be." But it wasn't going to be at Hudson or pretty much any other public high school for that matter. In early September of 2005 Patrick caught a break when a friend of the family spoke to the administration at Hillsdale's Alternative High School and convinced them to give Patrick a second chance.

The family friend didn't hide the fact that Patrick had used some very poor judgment and had lost his right to go to school in Hudson. However, it was pointed out that Patrick was worth the risk and that giving him another chance it would be in the best interest of all concerned, that being the young man, his family, Hillsdale schools and the Hornet athletic teams. There was some reluctance at first but finally the alternative school in Hillsdale enrolled Patrick and he was back in school by mid-September. Too late to play football but he would be able to wrestle the second semester for the Hornets. In what is almost a too good to be true type of situation Patrick has turned his life around and prospered at Hillsdale. Suffice it is to say the loss for the Tigers has been a huge gain for the Hornets.

Patrick wrestled last season during the second semester and compiled a solid 25-5 record but more importantly he instantly connected with his teammates and coaches. He also was allowed to attend the regular high school for one math class setting the stage for his entrance into the regular high school this past September.

Patrick fit right in with the wrestlers last winter and he was named one of its captains and he is again a captain this winter. "He was instantly accepted by the kids last year and he is a great kid," said head wrestling coach Paul Osentoski. "He is such a positive influence and a hard worker. He is a leader and a great teammate to these guys. He has fit right in and it was like he has been here all his high school years. He pushes and encourages the other kids and makes them better."

Patrick loves wrestling but he also loves football and missing out on the fall of 2005 season was tough to take but he more than made up for it this past fall. He was the starting defensive tackle and played along side friend and teammate Devin Sandahl. "He's a great friend and teammate and he is one of our leaders," Sandahl said. "We knew he was a good athlete and he has shown that and all the guys have accepted him. He is a leader that the guys look up to and he is a great friend. We are happy that he came to Hillsdale."

Sandahl and Osentoski aren't the only ones. Patrick was a terror on defense and recalls the Hudson game this past August when he returned to Thompson Field to play the Tigers. He had 11 tackles and got to play against some of his old buddies. "I was a Tiger at one time but not anymore as now I'm a Hornet," said Patrick, who it should be noted is also the father of a 17-month old son named Aden. Defensive coordinator and assistant wrestling coach Jerry Curby was also pleased that Patrick showed up to play sports and attend school at Hillsdale. "It was almost like a blessing in how things have worked out," said Curby. "He is such a great kid and an outstanding leader. He makes the other guys better by his positive attitude and work ethic and he is fun to be around in practice. He was at the right place at the right time and his being here has worked out well for both him and us here at Hillsdale."

Patrick was tied for second on the team in tackles this past fall and had a season-high 19 in the semifinal loss to Madison Heights Madison. "It was an awesome experience to go that far in the playoffs and be a part of such a fun time," said Patrick, who is the son of Lawrence and Deb Patrick. "Everything has worked out great about coming here and I know it was for the best."

Head football coach Mark Lemerand remarked about the play of Patrick saying, "He was a transfer and has turned out to be a great kid to have in your program. He is a verbal leader and he always keeps the other players up and he is so positive. He works hard in practice and keeps everyone upbeat with his encouragement."

Patrick was an all-Hillsdale County pick on the defensive line for his play on the gridiron last fall. He has a great shot at advancing to the state individual meet this March and hopes to place in the state meet where right now he is ranked third in the state in division 3 at 171 pounds. Patrick would also like to play baseball this spring. Three weeks ago he made another triumphant return to Hudson as he participated in the Hudson Super 16 meet and won all five matches to take the 171-pound title in his former gym. Then last Saturday at Saline he was named the meet's outstanding performer with a 5-0 record. "He has a great shot at doing well in the postseason," said Osentoski about the big upcoming meets.

Patrick is on track to graduate and is planning to attend the University of Northwestern Ohio, near Lima to study automotive services and his future appears bright.

"His going to Hillsdale had turned out great," said his mom Deb. "They have accepted him well and his coaches, teachers and teammates have all been great to him. Things have worked out for the best and his family is very proud of him. We supported him through a tough time and he has put that behind him and has made the most of his opportunity. It has been a lot of fun watching him play sports and makes friends and enjoy himself."

Patrick's mom pointed out an example of how his time at Hillsdale has been when this fall he wanted to drive some Belgian horses at the Hillsdale County fair. "Lance loves the horses and his coaches let him work his fair activities around football," she said. "They let him be a kid and do kid things and that really impressed me. He loves sports but his second love is driving those horses and he has a two, four and six hitch that he loves to drive."

Patrick had put the past behind him, learned from his mistake and has had a positive impact at a new school. It's all part of the American attitude that everyone deserves a second chance and for all involved they all agree has he made the most of it even if it has been as a Hornet.
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