NAU Athlete’s Coach Hints at Paris Olympics 2024 After He Bags Double Gold at NCAA Indoor Championships

Boston is erupting with track and field action as the country’s top athletes continue to set high benchmarks. With the Paris Olympics looming overhead, the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships was projected as a stepping stone for the big rumble and Northern Arizona’s Nico Young is making the most of the opportunity. Only yesterday, Young awed fans with 13:25.29 on the clock in the 5000 event. And now, as he bags another gold in the 3000m run, his coach thinks the Olympics just might be on the table.

For long-distance sprinters, boasting sub-30-second laps can become a daunting task after a while, but Nico maintained his composure and achieved the incredible. Thanks to his sensational performance, the NAU track and field coach believes bigger exploits await the young runner.

NCAA winner en route to Paris Olympics?

A recent social media post has highlighted Nico’s incredible feat, highlighting how has the potential to make waves at the upcoming Paris Olympics. “IT’S NICO’S WORLD AND WE’RE JUST LIVING IN IT“, reads the caption of the Twitter post by Citius Mag. Taking a queue from his earlier 5000 gold-winning run, the post shed light on his latest achievement. “#NCAATF 5000m champ @Nico__Young_ doubled back to the 3000m final and showed no mercy“, elaborates the post. The post went on to chronicle how Nico went all guns blazing in the final 800m stretch of the run in 1:54 to wrap his crucial run clocking 7:41.01.

While another post by the official NCAA Track & Field account shared an emotional moment Young celebrates his second gold of the tournament, Nico’s coach has eyes on a grander prize. NAU track and field coach Mike Smith thinks “…it’s hard getting the opportunities“, and believes Nico has what it takes to match the Olympic standard for the 10,000m run.

“Nico wants to do everything“, stated Smith as he said the recent victor might appear for The Ten next weekend. He went on to claim that Young is “…ready for it“, hinting that the NAU athlete can be the flagbearer for Team USA at the Paris Olympics. But the path has not been easy.

Nico’s path is filled with obstacles

While many would love to see Nico running the distance at the Paris Olympics, his road to glory may not be as easy as many of his compadres. Along with breaking records, Young also loves to break social taboos with his phenomenal self. In 2022, Nico came out publicly about his being g*y and stated his determination to embrace his true identity.

Explaining his struggle, Nico had written, “Anyone who tells you that being gay is a choice is wrong. I am living proof that it is not a choice, it is something I have always known and been aware of, but have kept silent out of fear of rejection.” Along with his revelation, Nico went ahead to assure others like him not to be afraid of claiming who they are and how they feel.

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“I want and hope to be a representative and advocate for others like me. I want anyone who is struggling with who they are to know that you are never alone, and that the people who truly matter to you will always be there to love and support you“, Nico remarked. He took the right step when it came to opting for NAU.

Explaining his decision, Nico said in his college biography webpage that “NAU has the best coaches and training partners in the NCAA…NAU has countless soft-surface trails and is at 7000ft.” and probably it’s that tight-knit atmosphere that gave him the inspiration to find his place among the nation’s elites.