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McDonald’s Kunkel heading to OSU

Patrick Kunkel was doing more than California Dreamin’.

The 2013 McDonald High School graduate ran for the University of San Francisco’s track and field and cross country teams this past season.

He reveled in his time in the Bay area, one of the most scenic places in the United States.

But there was something missing.

Kunkel wasn’t homesick, but there was a bit of boyhood pride he couldn’t shake from his system.

He turned down an offer from Ohio State to run at San Francisco. This May, something changed for the McDonald graduate, who will run for the Buckeyes starting this fall. His Buckeye pride began to bleed through his Don’s uniform. It became more noticeable once he got back home to McDonald.

“I really never felt homesick because of the Bay area being so beautiful and awesome,” Kunkel said. “I really liked my teammates and made great friends with them. In the back of my head, I still had a little boy’s dream of being a Buckeye. I’m still an Ohio State fan and I couldn’t get the Buckeye out of me.”

Kunkel applied for his transfer in early May but didn’t officially make up his mind until later that month.

Brice Allen, OSU Cross Country and Track and Field Associate Head Coach, welcomed Kunkel in as a Buckeye.

“He was happy to have me. He said I was welcomed on the team with open arms,” Kunkel said.

He hit some personal bests out at San Francisco, but had a great base heading out to the west coast after posting some outstanding times at the 2013 Division III state track and field meet in the 1,600- and 800-meter runs – placing top four in both.

Kunkel was part of the 2011 state championship track and field and cross country teams, along with runners-up in cross country in 2010 and 12.

“It was interesting for Patrick through high school in a lot of ways,” said Chris Rupe, McDonald boys cross country and distance coach. “In Division III, he went through one of the strongest, deepest classes of distance runners ever. He was very overshadowed.

“To run 4:13 and a 1:54 and double in the state meet showed how outstanding he was. He was certainly no slouch at cross country.”

At this year’s state track and field meet, he saw former teammate Bobby Johnson win the D-III 3,200 title.

“I cooled down with Bobby after his 3,200,” Kunkel said. “We were running a couple of laps. It was hard being on the track not being, ‘Oh man, I wish I was in your guys’ shoes.’ Then I just thought, ‘Bobby, this is my home track now.’ I was teasing him with it, even though he’s excited to go to Butler.”

Kunkel will be at home with one of his older brothers, Tim, who resides in the Columbus area.

“When I told my brother Joe I finally made my decision, he said, ‘I’m not going to lie, I wanted you in Columbus. I wasn’t going to tell you to come home or stay,’ ” Patrick said. “Joe was psyched. My parents are very happy for me. Some people said, ‘Wow, you’re going to run for The Ohio State University.’ Then, some people asked, ‘Why did you leave California?’ Everyone said, ‘Wow, you left California? But, wow, you’re going to be running at Ohio State?’ A lot of people are excited for me.”

Now the hard work begins, running in one of the nation’s best conferences – the Big Ten.

“It’s certainly a challenge at that level,” Rupe said. “We’re hoping to see great things out of him. Not only is there a great challenge at that level, but certainly people that come out on the other side of that challenge can be some of the very top runners in the nation.”

There’s no challenge for Kunkel to take his west coast dreams to Columbus.

“I am so pumped to be in the Big Ten, being a Buckeye, wearing that scarlet and gray uniform,” he said.

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