In the wake of all that is happening in society today, the goal of Academy of Art Athletics remains the same: to help shine a light on our amazing student-athletes, coaches and administrators. With that in mind, ART U brings to you the latest installment of the Knights Roundtable!
 
Joining the roundtable next is ART U men's cross country/track & field graduate student James Young! James came to Academy of Art in fall 2019 to study Advertising after attending Lancaster University in England. In his first year as an Urban Knight, James earned PacWest Newcomer of the Year after leading the team at the PacWest Cross Country Championships then he earned two USTFCCCA All-American honors in indoor track & field after breaking program records in both the mile and distance medley relay. Without further delay, let's meet James!

Sports Info: Can you talk a little bit about your hometown and where you grew up? What did you like to do when you were young? 

James: I've lived in Blyth my whole life. Blyth is in the North East of England and we're right on the coast so have plenty of beaches, although it's very rarely warm enough to really make most of it. I've always been sporty and I've been running as long as I can remember. I also love my football (or as Americans like to call it, soccer), so most the time growing up I would be kicking a ball around with my mates. 
 
Sports Info: When did you first start developing a passion for running and what attracted you to the sport?

James: My mam and dad were both runners, and were both pretty respectable club runners in the North East. They used to take me to watch their races, and I would usually run in with my mam at the finish to cheer her on. We used to go watch the athletics when Gateshead hosted some of the Grand Prix events - I remember Asafa Powell equaling the then-World Record when I was nine there! I think I was a member of my local running club (Blyth) from the age of four. We've actually got a picture of me running the Junior Great North Run that year - I did them every year up until I was 16.
 
Sports Info: What attracted you to your major and what do you love most about your major?

James: I'm doing a post-graduate in Advertising, and I'm hoping to become a copywriter in the industry. My undergrad degree was English Language; I love words and especially how every word has its unique connotations. I really enjoy writing and being creative so it really seems like the perfect career for me.
 
Sports Info: What is your favorite thing to do in San Francisco?

James: The great thing about running is you can explore the city when training. My favourite route is going through Presidio and then down the Marina; a great combo of trails and views! 
 
Sports Info: Who is your favorite professional athlete and why?
 
James: I think recently I've taken a lot of inspiration from Laura Muir. The fact she's managed to compete at the top level even while finishing her veterinary degree is no mean feat at all. 
 
Sports Info: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

James: I've done a fair bit of traveling of Europe and now North America, I definitely would love to tick off some of South America soon! 
 
Sports Info: What hobbies outside of running do you have? What is your favorite non-running thing to do?

James: Honestly the student-athlete life takes up most of my time! I try to write an article now and then for an athletics website called Vinco and I'm trying to read more too. I'd say my favourite thing to do is watch my team Newcastle United play. When I'm at home I try and make sure I get tickets to watch them live. I used to have a season ticket and not being able to have one now is definitely the thing I miss most about home. 
 
Sports Info: What are you grateful for?

James: The fact I've had the opportunity to come out to America on a sports scholarship is something I never thought was possible a couple of years ago. Living in San Francisco and being able to travel around America is something I would never have been able to do without my running and I'm making sure I make the most of it, especially after this pandemic. 
 
Sports Info: What is your favorite type of music and why?

James: I'm really into the British Indie/Alternative rock bands. The likes of Catfish and The Bottlemen, The 1975, Sam Fender, and Bastille are some of my favourites. 
 
Sports Info: If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

James: I'd probably be some form of shark. As humans, we can basically see everything above sea level if we really wanted. The oceans are still remarkably unexplored by us humans and I'd need to be a shark because I don't fancy getting eaten on my first day swimming around.