By Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

Maybe if TaShawna Young learns a lot from her major, she can use it on her opponents.

The Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers senior thrower said her college decision was based predominantly on her major which was psychology which led her to sign a letter-of-intent with the Shawnee State Bears.

Young said she only had two schools in her sights for her future: Shawnee State and Ohio University. After studying her needs, Young felt it was an easy decision.

“I feel like it’s a good fit for me and they have a good psychology program and that’s what I want to do. And they have a good track program,” said Young.

Shawnee State head coach Conner Flynn said that Young has plenty of potential to become a big contributor at the college level.

“We’re excited about TaShawna. In our eyes, she has a lot of room to grow over the next few years as she develops in our program,” said Flynn.

“I think she’ll be able to help us a lot at the conference level and we build the track team we’re aspiring to have.”

Track and field is nothing new for Young who has been part of track since the sixth grade.

“I love it. It’s very competitive and I love competing against others and getting to throw,” Young said.

High schools only have shot put and discus for throwers, but college offers  the hammer throw and javelin.

“They haven’t talked to me about those (hammer and javelin), but I do plan to try the javelin and hammer. The hammer seems interesting. I want to try it for sure,” said Young.

Despite going to college for track, Young admitted that she actually prefers basketball.

“Basketball has been my favorite sport since I was little, but I enjoy track a whole lot,” she said.

The veteran Ironton thrower said her goals are simple.

“I just want to go on to the next level and compete and do my best at it and see where it takes me,” said Young. “I love sports. That’s all I really do. I focus on school and keep my grades where they need to be to graduate.”

In January, TaShawna suffered a heartbreaking tragedy when her mother Lorraine Young.

“My mom was everything to me. She was my whole world. I’m obviously broken. I don’t know what to do without her,” said Young.

“She was a special person to me and she was nice to everybody. She was sweet. She was everything.”