CHICAGO - Former Monroe athlete and current Concordia University Chicago senior Ryan Young reached a collegiate milestone Saturday.
The 2005 MHS graduate passed the 1,000-point mark for his career, becoming only the 18th player in the 75-year history of Concordia's men's basketball program to do so.
"It was awesome," Young said. "It was my first shot of the game and I didn't think it was going to go in. But I was just pretty happy to get it over with right away."
Four minutes into the game against Cornell College of Iowa, Young, a four-year starter at guard, drained a 3-pointer from the left wing to give him 1,001 career points.
Though the Cougars lost the game, the school announced that the achievement was very much a bright spot to enter a 14-day Christmas break.
So far this season, Young is averaging more than 15 points per game - and more than 21 in his past three games. In his career, Young said he is averaging more than a dozen points per game.
"Playing in college is a real privilege and I'm thankful that I have this opportunity. I feel blessed," Young said. "And the competition is really tough in college. There is so much talent. Our conference is really tough."
Concordia participates in the Northern Athletics Conference, and is 3-5 overall this season. Young has starred on the team since leading Monroe to its first state tournament in nearly 40 years in 2005, when the Cheesemakers lost to Racine St. Catherines in the state semifinals. Young was a senior and a team captain that season.
Since that appearance, Monroe has been to state two more times in the past three years - including a state title in 2007.
"And I have to give a big shout out to coach (Pat) Murphy and coach (Brian) Bassett," Young said. "They taught me a lot of things about basketball and how to play. They helped me get to where I am today."
Young's former high school coach and current Monroe head coach Pat Murphy had this to say, "He is a high-energy guy who loves basketball. He loves to compete and he puts his time into it."
The 2005 MHS graduate passed the 1,000-point mark for his career, becoming only the 18th player in the 75-year history of Concordia's men's basketball program to do so.
"It was awesome," Young said. "It was my first shot of the game and I didn't think it was going to go in. But I was just pretty happy to get it over with right away."
Four minutes into the game against Cornell College of Iowa, Young, a four-year starter at guard, drained a 3-pointer from the left wing to give him 1,001 career points.
Though the Cougars lost the game, the school announced that the achievement was very much a bright spot to enter a 14-day Christmas break.
So far this season, Young is averaging more than 15 points per game - and more than 21 in his past three games. In his career, Young said he is averaging more than a dozen points per game.
"Playing in college is a real privilege and I'm thankful that I have this opportunity. I feel blessed," Young said. "And the competition is really tough in college. There is so much talent. Our conference is really tough."
Concordia participates in the Northern Athletics Conference, and is 3-5 overall this season. Young has starred on the team since leading Monroe to its first state tournament in nearly 40 years in 2005, when the Cheesemakers lost to Racine St. Catherines in the state semifinals. Young was a senior and a team captain that season.
Since that appearance, Monroe has been to state two more times in the past three years - including a state title in 2007.
"And I have to give a big shout out to coach (Pat) Murphy and coach (Brian) Bassett," Young said. "They taught me a lot of things about basketball and how to play. They helped me get to where I am today."
Young's former high school coach and current Monroe head coach Pat Murphy had this to say, "He is a high-energy guy who loves basketball. He loves to compete and he puts his time into it."
