Will Young ran his way to three straight state cross country berths and traveled around the world. Now the all-around freestyler is hoping to make some waves in the swimming pool for Redmond High School (RHS).
“Swimming started as something to stay in shape,” the senior co-captain said. “I kind of swam casually all my life, so I decided ‘what the hell’ and did it. Now I’m serious about it.”
Young is looking for a return trip to the district meet and his first to state waters.
Last winter, Young advanced to the district meet in the 500-yard freestyle and barely missed the district cut in the 100 free. He also races a lot in the 200 free.
Young admits he is the logical choice to race in the not-so-popular 500 free.
“Since I’m a distance runner, that long-distance, grueling race is up my alley,” he said.
But he did point out that the 100 free is his postseason preference.
Redmond coach Julie Barashkoff said it’s still too early in the season to say what event Young will race come February, but did say that he has “always just been our all-around guy” and is showing great improvement.
“He definitely has matured race-wise,” Barashkoff said. “Now he gets it. Before he just went through the motions. Every year, you could see the growth.”
Barashkoff said Young is picking up where he left off last season and could be a force in the 100 free if he keeps improving. She also said, depending on his times, Young “might be one of the guys” if the 400 free relay makes a state run.
While Young looks to make some noise in the water this winter, his main passion is running.
“He enjoys swimming, but he’s a fantastic runner,” Barashkoff said. Young placed second at the 4A Kingco cross country meet, right behind teammate Mack Young (not related), before advancing to his third straight state meet last fall. This spring, he is hoping to make a state run on the track oval.
Will, who started running track in 7th grade at Evergreen Junior High, missed his sophomore season with the Mustangs because he went on a “trip around the world” with his mother, father and two sisters. The trip was motivated by his mother who always had a desire to travel country to country. The trip included stops at more than a dozen countries, including Thailand, Nepal, Egypt, Turkey, Italy, Switzerland and France.
Will said one of the highlights of the trip was a 14-day trek in the Himalayas. Will, who got a chance to see the ancient pyramids, said the trip exposed him to other cultures and made him feel fortunate for what he has here in Redmond.
“I understand how lucky I am to live where I do,” Will said. “When people talk about poverty I actually know what they mean. I’ve seen people literally waiting on the streets to die kind of thing. … It’s a huge thing. Obviously it had a huge impact on me.”
Now fast forward two years and Will is looking to add something more to his impressive resume: a trio of state travels in cross country, swimming and track.
Barashkoff said nothing is impossible when it comes to Will. “You can never undestimate Will,” Barashkoff said.
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REDMOND BOYS’ SWIMMING AT A GLANCE
• Coach: Julie Barashkoff, sixth season
• 2009 turnout: 37
TOP RETURNERS
• Jr. Kevin Creekmore: One of the fastest swimmers on the team will focus on 200 and 500 free.
• Sr. Ryan Beliel: Co-captain and third-year swimmer will be the team’s back specialist.
• Sr. Will Young: Co-captain does it for the Mustangs during the dual-meet season; Barashkoff said he will probably focus more on 200 and 500 free for district-qualifying times.
• Soph. Imel Wheat: Talented swimmer will be the short-distance sprinter (50 free) and breaststroker for the Stangs.
• Jr. Alec Stoll: Another 50 free swimmer with a solid upside. He will do some 100 free also, Barashkoff said.
KEY NEWCOMERS
• Fresh. Nicholas Kodati: The future of the program has state hopes this year with his focus being the 100 fly, Barashkoff said. “He’s our state hopeful,” she said.
• Fresh. Michael Pavlov: Another young swimmer with tremendous potential. Freestyle sprinter has state aspirations.
• Fresh. Phillip Klassen: Younger brother of Max, who won a diving state title in 2009. Phillip will be a force on the board with district and state apsirations.
• Soph. Tyler Bennett: First-year competitive diver has a shot to compete at the district meet. Also a solid 50 freestyler.
• Sr. Clement Signoretty: First-year swimmer will help out on the board and in the pool during dual meets.
• Fresh. Gavin Lee: He has all the strokes down, so probably will do a lot of work in the 200 individual medley, Barashkoff said.
KEY MEET
• Jan. 26 vs. Eastlake, Redmond Pool, 3:30 p.m.: The meet against the Mustangs’ arch rival should be a close one. Both programs are rebuilding and looking to establish themselves on the eve of the postseason meets.
QUOTABLE
“We’re young, we’re rebuilding after graduating our 14 seniors. We’re hoping we can squeak in one or two state times, maybe a relay, that will be our main focus, those are realistic goals for us.” — Julie Barashkoff, Redmond High boys’ swim and dive team coach
