Here's a good article on University of Washington sprinter Jordan Boase. Just goes to show what some natural talent combined with determination and belief can accomplish.
[url]http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/collegesports/20029111 71_colleges05.html[/url]
State Colleges Report: UW sprinter blows past stereotypes
By Don Shelton
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
Jordan Boase, who didn't turn out for track until halfway through his senior year in high school, is a UW All-American.
Jordan Boase sees the glances, hears the whispers and senses the doubts as he warms up before races.
"Who's that guy?" Washington's sophomore sprinter remembers hearing. "He's going to get smashed on."
Moments after Boase has finished another 200-meter race, the reaction is far different.
"I like being the underdog," he says.
Boase has made a habit of smashing stereotypes as well as the competition in only two years of track. He turned out for the sport for the first time since elementary school halfway through his senior year at Bothell High School when a friend talked him into it. He won a Class 4A state championship in the 400 relay.
He walked on to the Huskies' track program, quickly proved that the skinny suburban kid can run with just about anybody and recently earned a full scholarship.
Boase's 47.76 last spring was UW's sixth-best 400 ever and hinted at his potential. His indoor 200 time of 21.19 seconds last winter ranked 19th nationally and fourth in Huskies history.
And at the NCAA Indoor Championships last month in Fayetteville, Ark., he stepped in for a sick teammate to help the Huskies finish third in the 1,600 relay in 9 minutes, 35.35 seconds, Washington's best relay finish in 30 years.
Boase ran the leadoff leg and was followed by teammates Bruce Jackson (Nathan Hale), Shane Charles and Ryan Brown (Renton).
"When you put a sophomore walk-on in that situation, most coaches would be nervous," says UW sprint coach LaMonte Vaughn Jr. "I was calmest guy in the building because I knew what I was going to get."
Boase, who at 6 feet, 160 pounds is mostly dwarfed by muscular 200 specialists, has come light years from the kid who finished third in the KingCo Conference 100 finals. His goal this spring is to run a 20.6 200  two seconds below his prep best.
"What he does transcends cultures, transcends body types, transcends all that," Vaughn says. "He just wants to win. It's a joy to see."
Edited by: SteveB
[url]http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/collegesports/20029111 71_colleges05.html[/url]
State Colleges Report: UW sprinter blows past stereotypes
By Don Shelton
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
Jordan Boase, who didn't turn out for track until halfway through his senior year in high school, is a UW All-American.
Jordan Boase sees the glances, hears the whispers and senses the doubts as he warms up before races.
"Who's that guy?" Washington's sophomore sprinter remembers hearing. "He's going to get smashed on."
Moments after Boase has finished another 200-meter race, the reaction is far different.
"I like being the underdog," he says.
Boase has made a habit of smashing stereotypes as well as the competition in only two years of track. He turned out for the sport for the first time since elementary school halfway through his senior year at Bothell High School when a friend talked him into it. He won a Class 4A state championship in the 400 relay.
He walked on to the Huskies' track program, quickly proved that the skinny suburban kid can run with just about anybody and recently earned a full scholarship.
Boase's 47.76 last spring was UW's sixth-best 400 ever and hinted at his potential. His indoor 200 time of 21.19 seconds last winter ranked 19th nationally and fourth in Huskies history.
And at the NCAA Indoor Championships last month in Fayetteville, Ark., he stepped in for a sick teammate to help the Huskies finish third in the 1,600 relay in 9 minutes, 35.35 seconds, Washington's best relay finish in 30 years.
Boase ran the leadoff leg and was followed by teammates Bruce Jackson (Nathan Hale), Shane Charles and Ryan Brown (Renton).
"When you put a sophomore walk-on in that situation, most coaches would be nervous," says UW sprint coach LaMonte Vaughn Jr. "I was calmest guy in the building because I knew what I was going to get."
Boase, who at 6 feet, 160 pounds is mostly dwarfed by muscular 200 specialists, has come light years from the kid who finished third in the KingCo Conference 100 finals. His goal this spring is to run a 20.6 200  two seconds below his prep best.
"What he does transcends cultures, transcends body types, transcends all that," Vaughn says. "He just wants to win. It's a joy to see."
