Alex Young finished in eight place in the semifinal round of the International Association of Athletic Federations hammer throw competition. Young is now ranked 20th overall and finished at the highest ranked of any of the American competitors in the hammer throw.
Courtesy of Amin Nikfar
Alex Young represented the university as a member of the United States team in hammer throw at the International Association of Athletic Federations World Championships in London on Aug. 9. Young was ranked 20th in the world with a throw of 236 feet and is the first Lion chosen to represent the university on this national stage of track and field.
Assistant Lions track and field coach Amin Nikfar who specializes in throws traveled with Young to the world championships in London and discusses his views on Young’s ranking.
“Alex went in number 30 in the world and came out number 20 in the world,” said Nikfar. “So, I think that’s a success. It was his first senior major international competition, and it was his first world championship. For somebody who has never been in that scenario before to move up ten spots, I think we can count that as a win.”
Young has accumulated many track and field accolades during his collegiate career. Some of Young’s titles include 2016-17 Southeastern Male Athlete of the Year and the Louisiana Sports Writers Association All-Louisiana Field Athlete of the Year.
“He works hard, he’s determined, he’s gifted and he’s grateful for everything,” said Nikfar. “He’s a wonderful athlete to work with, and I think that this year there is much more to come from Alex Young in the future.”
Young talks about his experience of representing the university as a member of the United States team. “It’s really cool to represent the school most have never heard of,” said Young. “It’s great to be a part of such a great USA team, with all these amazing athletes coming from such big schools. Knowing the fact that coming from a small school proves the saying, ‘It doesn’t matter where you go, but what you do when you get there.’’’ For Young, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, this was his first time competing at this level of competition, and he describes how he dealt with the pressures that come along with such a high level of competition.
“I handled the competition really well,” said Young. “I had about two practice sessions that were simulations of what competition day was going to be like. I had mentally cleared my mind and stayed focused leading into competition and during competition. My training program was also a big contribution to my preparation for this competition.”
He attributes his calmness to his preparations that were done beforehand at the university.
“Overall preparation leading into competition was probably the biggest reason as to why I handled the level of competition so well,” said Young.
During his week-long trip to London, Young was able to make memories and milestones for both himself and his university from the realization of competing on a national stage to placing 20th in the world. Young talks about some of the moments that stuck out most to him.
“The most memorable moment was when I stepped out on the field for competition,” said Young. “Seeing the sold out London crowd of 66,000 people as you walk out to competition was incredible. Just competing in such an atmosphere was unreal”.
Young marks his first time representing USA and competing in the IAAF World Championships as a milestone in his career and something he will always remember.
“The fact I had USA on my chest during that made it all the much better,” said Young. “I had great memories of meeting a few world champions and expanding my knowledge with former Olympic hammer thrower James Parker, as well as other known figures in the sport. The ability to learn from world champions and Olympic champions on the team about the business and performance side of track and field was something I’ll never forget.”