Rowan University’s sophomore track star Marquise Young has: become a National Champion as a member of the 4×400 team, finished top ten at the NCAA Division III National Championships for the 60-meter hurdles and been named a JUCO DIII All-American in the 110 and 400-meter hurdles.

And he wanted to originally play volleyball.

“What made me start running track was one of my friends from high school literally dragged me down to the track… I wanted to play volleyball,” Young said. “I came out my freshman year of high school but I really only pole-vaulted… my sophomore year I got a little bit taller and that is when my coach started putting me in different events like the hurdles and the 400 and 4×400.”

Since then it has been quite the journey for Young. He reminisced on what made him want to continue running after high school.

“I knew I was having success when I graduated,” Young said. “Going into Camden County, the track team literally just started my first year there… I was just trying to get some exposure by any college, even though I had my mind set on Rowan.”

So far in his career, Young made it clear what the best part has been.

“Just constantly winning,” Young said. “Nobody wants to do any sport where they consistently lose… having a good team behind me and constantly having competition at practice pushes me to get better and be the best in my event.” 

Head Coach Dustin Dimit had high praise for the work ethic Young shows at practice and the teammate he has grown to be.

“He works hard and puts everything into his workouts,” Coach Dimit said. “He’s a great teammate, always up to doing whatever the team needs… he’s a good leader. He’ll call people out if they’re not doing things right and he does a good job encouraging people and picking people up.”

Young credited a very special person that he’ll always use for motivation and a reason to continue his amazing work ethic.

“It’s my father,” Young said. “My dad actually passed away last year. I was gonna stop doing track at one point but he convinced me to continue to do it because I was having so much success and because I was so good at it.”

After a successful indoor season, Young expressed his excitement for the outdoor season and what he hopes to accomplish.

“I’m looking forward to the 110 hurdles mostly,” Young said. “That’s my main event and the fact that I have the 60-meter hurdles underneath me this year, I’m expecting to run faster… I hope to drop my times drastically and I’m looking to be a national champion in the hurdles and again in the 4×400.”

Even after the accomplishments he received in both high school and college, Young has stayed motivated and shows no signs of slowing down. 

“[I’m] not being complacent,” Young said. “My dad taught me at a young age that if I’m going to do something, I gotta put my all into it.”

Living through the words of his father, Young uses this philosophy in everything he does.

“You’ll always get the best out of me in anything I do,” Young said. “I’m hardworking, consistent and different. I try to be different and stand out.”

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