Former Red Raider Qualifies for Summer Olympics
By: David Collier
Updated: June 28, 2012
EUGENE, Ore. - Former
Texas Tech standout thrower Jason Young officially qualified for the
U.S. Olympic Team Thursday afternoon. Young, who currently competes for
Nike, qualified in the discus throw with a best mark of 62.15 meters
(203'-11") on his sixth and
final attempt.
"I'm very proud for Jason," Texas Tech head coach Wes Kittley said. "Today is a culmination of many years of hard work. It's just great to see him have success in a dream that he has had for years, and it's another ex-Red Raider competing in the Olympics."
Young is the first Texas Tech product to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team since Jonathan Johnson qualified in the 800-meter run for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens.
After qualifying for the discus finals with a mark of 61.34m (201'-3") in Monday's preliminaries, Young put on an impressive performance at the historic Hayward Field by improving on each his final two throws to secure his spot on the Olympic Team.
The Dallas native who trains in Lubbock jumped out to a quick start with a toss of 61.50m (201'-9") on his first attempt to leap into second place. Young held onto second until Jarred Rome, also of Nike, recorded a throw of 63.35m (207'-10") on his sixth and final attempt.
However, Young's final attempt was good enough to hold onto third and automatically qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team.
Young entered the competition having already hit the Olympic 'A' standard of 65-meters during the qualifying period.
Young finished ninth at both the 2004 and 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in the discus.
Young left a lasting mark on the Texas Tech throws program during his collegiate career. The decorated Red Raider was the 2004 NCAA runner-up in the discus and he still holds the mark for the second-longest throw in school history at 206'-5". Meanwhile, Young still holds the school indoor weight throw record of 63'-1" and three of the top-five marks in the outdoor hammer throw.
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games begin July 27 in London.
"I'm very proud for Jason," Texas Tech head coach Wes Kittley said. "Today is a culmination of many years of hard work. It's just great to see him have success in a dream that he has had for years, and it's another ex-Red Raider competing in the Olympics."
Young is the first Texas Tech product to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team since Jonathan Johnson qualified in the 800-meter run for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens.
After qualifying for the discus finals with a mark of 61.34m (201'-3") in Monday's preliminaries, Young put on an impressive performance at the historic Hayward Field by improving on each his final two throws to secure his spot on the Olympic Team.
The Dallas native who trains in Lubbock jumped out to a quick start with a toss of 61.50m (201'-9") on his first attempt to leap into second place. Young held onto second until Jarred Rome, also of Nike, recorded a throw of 63.35m (207'-10") on his sixth and final attempt.
However, Young's final attempt was good enough to hold onto third and automatically qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team.
Young entered the competition having already hit the Olympic 'A' standard of 65-meters during the qualifying period.
Young finished ninth at both the 2004 and 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in the discus.
Young left a lasting mark on the Texas Tech throws program during his collegiate career. The decorated Red Raider was the 2004 NCAA runner-up in the discus and he still holds the mark for the second-longest throw in school history at 206'-5". Meanwhile, Young still holds the school indoor weight throw record of 63'-1" and three of the top-five marks in the outdoor hammer throw.
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games begin July 27 in London.
