Third Place a Charm for Woodbridge Sprinter Young

Most athletes would be disappointed to always finish in third. Sprinter Gary Young of Woodbridge is just the opposite. He uses it as motivation to do better.

Young ran in the 100- and 200-meter races Friday night at the Masters Meet at Cerritos College and came in third in each, behind Bryan Howard of Moreno Valley Canyon Springs and Pat Johnson of Redlands, the two top high school sprinters in the nation.

“It’s nothing new to me,” Young said. “It’s fun running against those guys. It gives me confidence. I’m always catching them at the end, I just run out of room.”

The third-place finishes qualified Young for the State meet June 3-4 at Cerritos College.

“I accomplished what I wanted here,” Young said. “When State rolls around, it’s going to be a great race.”

Young finished the 100 in 10.81, behind Howard (10.44), and Johnson (10.61).

“I was disappointed in my 100. It was my own fault,” Young said. “I didn’t get a chance to warm up. I had a great start, but the next thing I knew my legs weren’t turning like they should.”

In the 200, Young ran a 21.71. Howard finished in 20.98 and Johnson 21.38.

“I get tired of looking at their backs,” Young said. “Just once, I wish they would have to look at mine.”

Young, a senior, is new to the spotlight this season. In his sophomore year, he just missed the cut for the Southern Section finals and then in his junior year, a nerve problem, which caused his foot to go numb, took him out of action before the Sea View League finals.

“This is really rewarding for him. He was nowhere around last year,” Woodbridge Coach George Varvas said. “He is probably the best sprinter we have ever had and one of the best in Orange County.”

Young intends to be the best. He currently holds the top times in the county in the 100 (10.52, wind-aided) and the 200 (21.39).

“I’m going to break both Orange County records next week at State,” Young said. “I’m nipping at their heals.”

Tim Martin of San Clemente set the 100 record (10.56) in 1991. Marina’s Chip Rish set the 200 record (21.01) in 1985.

“I want the times and I know I can do it,” Young said. “I’m just going to have to get out of the blocks harder than ever before.”