Young a great 'middle man' for BC

[KFDM COOP]

Young a great 'middle man' for BC

Van Wade

The Orange Leader

BRIDGE CITY — He could easily be called “The Man in the Middleâ€, but Bridge City junior Kevin Young would certainly accept that calling.

Young has been blazing up the track in the 400 meters for the Cardinals all season and he loves challenges.

“It’s been a really fun season so far,†Young expressed after a tough workout last Wednesday. “I’ve been involved in some tremendous races all year. Every week is a new challenge and I hope I can really rise to the occasion next week at district.â€

The District 21-3A Track & Field Championships will be held on Tuesday and Friday this week at Orangefield High School and Young is getting himself prepared.

“I haven’t really changed much as far as how my workout goes,†Young said. “I’ve been running a bunch of 500s on Mondays, 300s on Tuesday and 400s on Wednesday, resting on Thursday and getting ready for meets. The only really major thing I’ve done this season is I’ve changed my diet routine and it’s really helped.â€

Young blazed the track at the Bobcat Relays in Orangefield March 31, turning in a swift time of 50.50, a personal best. He has been pushed to be his best from runners across the area, including Orangefield’s Caleb Worthy, who ran a 50.92 at the Bobcat Relays and who had defeated Young at the Cardinal Relays in Bridge City the previous week.

“Caleb and I, I guess you can say we bring out the best in each other,†Young said. “He is tremendous and has a lot of heart. We both do. District should be quite a test. Not only is will Caleb be there but so will the (Nick) Reed kid from West Orange. I’ve seen his times and he’s amazing. It should be a great race and I’m working hard in preparing for it.â€

Young has made quite a smooth transition to being a track “middle man.â€

“When I first started in track I competed in the sprints, like at the junior high level,†explained Young. “My freshman year I turned towards the distance races and cross country. Now I guess I’ve settled into a pretty good spot. The 400 meters, it’s a race that gets your adrenaline going.â€

Bridge City running coach James Johnson has complete admiration for Young, who also runs a leg on the Cardinals’ 1,600-meter relay team, and his accomplishments.

“I’ve been in the business for a long time and I have to same Kevin is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with,†Johnson said. “He’s like a man on a mission, whether it’s at a meet or just out here in practice.â€

Johnson feels the 400 meters, along with the 800 meters, which features another Cardinal sensation in Logan Stewart, will be two of the best races around when the district meet rolls around.

“A lot of track fans love the sprints and the relays and the long jump and triple jumps should be awesome to watch,†Johnson said. “But, the best two races might just be the 400 and the 800. I’d bring a lunchbag to sit back and enjoy those two events. It’s going to be exciting.â€

Bridge City’s tradition in the middle distances and long distances could go a long way in the Cardinals being in the hunt for the team championship by this Friday.

“We have a lot of pride as far as our track program goes,†Young said. “We have a lot of dedicated guys that want to have success. I like our chances as far as getting solid points in every event at district and we should be right in the hunt to win the title but the competition is going to be very, very tough.â€