London Bound, Young Qualifies for Olympics

Former Red Raider Jason Young has officially punched his ticket to London in the discus.

In a month, when the 2012 Olympic games begin, there will be a familiar face in the discus field of competition – Jason Young.

In 2004 and 2008, Young fell short in qualifying for the Olympics; finishing ninth in both of those years, but 2012 was a different story.

“I’m very proud for Jason,” Texas Tech head coach Wes Kittley said in a news release on Thursday. “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.”

After qualifying for the finals on Monday, Young started good with a first throw of 61.50 meters (201’-9”) catapulting him into second place.

Young was in second before Jarred Rome surpassed him with a throw of 63.35m (207’-10”) on his final attempt.

After getting surpassed, Young had once more chance to get to London and he capitalized.

Young, on his final toss of the night, threw the discus for 62.25m (203’-11”) which was good enough to punch his ticket to the London games.

The former Red Raider becomes the first to qualify for a U.S. Olympic Team since Jonathan Johnson qualified for the 2004 Summer Games in Athens in the 800-meter run.

The Olympic games begin on July 27^th.