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SPORTS: Trace Young: Creation, life, basketball (in that order

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Trace Young: Creation, life, basketball (in that order)

By Braidon Nourse

@braidonnourse

“Okay, here’s the vision,” said Trace Young, Colorado State University men’s basketball guard, about his newest idea for a short video. “The theme would be like kind of going against the grain, you know what I’m saying? Like living differently than other people.”

As this is the case for Young, he would be the first to tell you: It’s not all about basketball.

Sure, it took years of late nights and sacrifice on the court to get into an NCAA Tournament-qualifying Division I program as a basketball player. But Young puts the “there’s more to life than sports” principle into action.

Young was interested in capturing his life on film from a young age, whether it was recording the video games he played, sports, music or anything else happening in his life. In grade school, he picked up a camera for the first time — that is, if you can call an iPod Touch a camera.

Not long after he started, Young received a perfect Christmas gift for his passion: a GoPro. Later on, he downloaded more advanced editing software in Final Cut Pro.

“I started getting better with editing, color grading and all that stuff,” Young said. “That’s when I really fell in love with not just making videos but understanding how cool it is that I can make something to make other people feel a certain type of way. People can watch what I create and get goosebumps or feel motivated. Whatever the feeling may be, I can affect what people feel, and I just thought that was a cool idea.”

Creating content is a hobby that’s stuck with him to this day. He runs an Instagram account named “tracecreate” with just under 2,000 followers that is dedicated to his creative work, including pieces involving his life outside of being an athlete, from his musical endeavors and cinematography to his relationship with God.

But don’t let that take away from Young’s freakish athletic ability. Though the guard from Austin, Texas, only averages a couple of minutes per game on CSU’s guard-heavy team, just to be on a Division I men’s basketball roster is an accomplishment only an estimated 1% of high school players achieve. Gather up 99 of the best high school hoopers you know, and Young is likely leaps and bounds better than all of them.

Speaking of leaps and bounds, if there’s one athletic accomplishment that can’t be taken from Young, it’s his all-time CSU record for maximum vertical jump. At a nearly inhuman 46 inches, his vertical leap would be the second highest in NBA Combine Draft history, only behind Keon Johnson’s 48-inch jump in 2021. “Have you ever dunked before? It’s so fun,” Young said. “I remember being in like third grade and just being obsessed with being able to dunk.”

And so the workouts began. Young’s father found out about his wish and didn’t hesitate to lend a helping hand, giving Young exercises to increase his jumping power.

“(My dad) literally just Googled how to jump higher, printed it off and gave it to me,” Young said. “I did it religiously. I remember every time I came home from the bus stop in third grade, I’d drop my backpack right by this tree, and I’d just do like a hundred box jumps on this bench.” Between eighth grade and his freshman year of high school, he finally flushed his first dunk.

Through keys on the piano and strings on the guitar, Young is also able to stay busy through music. Around the same time his jumping infatuation started was when he touched a piano for the first time and started to learn. At the time, though, it wasn’t just about keeping busy.

“I did struggle with some anxiety stuff when I was younger,” Young said. “I didn’t really know why. … Music was just one of the ways, like a natural relaxant. We had this piano, and I would just play all the time. At night, like 1 a.m., if I couldn’t sleep, I’d be playing the piano, and my family didn’t mind.”

After all Young has experienced and accomplished, he’s taken the time to give back and help out in his community. Growing up in southern Texas, he’s no stranger to disasters in his own backyard, like yearly hurricanes that rip through thousands of homes in the region.

Through his church and with his mother, Young got to work — volunteer work that is. Every summer growing up, when Young didn’t have much to do, his mother would get him up and out in the community to help others in need, especially during hurricane season. It’s a part of home he wishes followed him to Fort Collins.

Though Young is majoring in business at Colorado State, he’s still unsure of what he wants to do after graduating. But after some thought into the matter, his answer was simple: “I’d love to travel.” So much so, he nearly chose it over basketball.

“I almost gave basketball up to go do Semester at Sea my freshman year,” Young said. “One of my dreams at the time was to go outside the country, experience different things and capture it all with my ‘tracecreate’ stuff, you know, all while studying.”

“For a lot of my teammates and other players around me, it’s all about improving their game on the court,” Young said. “Obviously, that’s great, and that’s always the goal, but that’s not really it for me. There’s other things for me here.”

Reach Braidon Nourse at sports@ collegian.com. “People can watch what I create and get goosebumps or feel motivated. Whatever the feeling may be, I can affect what people feel, and I just thought that was a cool idea.”

TRACE YOUNG

CSU MEN’S BASKETBALL GUARD

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Dear stars,

Happy New Year! There are several planetary movements to look forward to in 2023. Our luminous sun has been in steady Capricorn since Dec. 21, 2022. This brings a disciplined energy into our lives, and you will notice that you are becoming more structured in your day-to-day life. Venus, the planet of love, will sit in Aquarius until Jan. 26, making us more open-minded in the dating scene. Friends from the past may even want to reconnect with you. Lastly, the moon will be waning throughout the week, so taking risks is not recommended. Instead, listen to your body, drink water and reflect on your inner thoughts. The New Snow Moon on Jan. 21 will awaken our spirits and bring us out again. Best wishes,

A Sagittarius Moon

WEEKLY HOROSCOPE

By Abby Flores

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY

(01/19/23)

ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

Your natural ability to network and make connections is bringing you blessings this month. People will want to help you in a business endeavor or strategy you have been dreaming about. You are prepared to set aside time to make any changes you need.

TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20)

You have fewer things on your to-do list this year (that is your cue for a sigh of relief). You worked hard last year, and the universe is granting you more time at home. You will thrive when it comes to cooking and making your space more beautiful. Friends will soon visit you and enjoy your company.

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 20)

I have some good news for you, Gemini. Your planet ruler, Mercury, will end its retrograde Jan. 18. Unresolved situations arose, but you managed to let go and find peace within your inner world. You are in a transformation period this month where you will find yourself again and build new friendships.

CANCER (JUNE 21 - JULY 22)

After some greatly needed rest, you are fully awake again. Your creative energy is flowing, and you already have a couple projects in the works this year. Pay close attention to your dreams this week because you are the sign most connected to the moon.

LEO (JULY 23 - AUG. 22)

You have been working on your physical health during the last couple weeks, your dedication and self motivation has been extraordinary. You are glowing inside and out, and it is attracting positive energies into your life.

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEPT. 22)

A new artistic hobby has come into your life, and you are making consistent progress. You have a knack for being a jack of all trades, and your skills will shine more than ever this year.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23 - OCT. 22)

You love feeling new, and the stars are in your favor if you want to make a small change in your appearance — for instance, changing up your hair or trying a new beauty routine. You are always charming either way.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)

Many friends want to catch up with you at this time, and your calendar is going to be full of events to attend this year. You used to feel stuck, but your higher self is calling, and you are finding truth in your purpose.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC.

21) You are the most authentic traveler in astrology, bringing people joy and spiritual wisdom wherever you go. You felt something was missing last year, but things will finally align for you this week. Prepare for good omens and deep connections.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN.

19) Happy birthday! You went through a lot last year, but because you gave it your all, the universe wants to reward you with a new beginning. Career opportunities are on the way for you, along with good energy surrounding your friendships and love life.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)

You let go of people who were draining your energy last year, and you are coming into a stable place where you now understand what you want in relationships. Good karma is on your side.

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MARCH

20) You will enjoy reconnecting with friends who are just as spiritual as you. Your heart was locked up for a while, and you were protective of your energy, but this year, you will find yourself living in the present and enjoying moments with those you truly love. Take time to listen to your inner guide every day because you are known to be the most intuitive sign.

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