Lakes Grad Izaic Yorks Comes Up Short In Spain, But He'll Keep On Running

Izaic Yorks is getting some worldly experience before he heads down to Oregon for college.

Yorks, who graduated last month from Lakes High School, placed seventh in Tuesday’s preliminary heat of the 1,500-meter run at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Barcelona. His time of 3 minutes, 49.21 seconds failed to move him into today’s final.

Yorks reportedly was at the front of the chase pack for the first two laps, but slipped behind at the tape.

Shortly before heading to Spain, Yorks mentioned that the odds were stacked against him.

“No American has ever medaled in the 1,500,” he said, “and, you know, I don’t think I’m even in the top 10.”

Still, he said, he was planning to “just have confidence going in.”

“I know what I can do … It’s not really intimidating going knowing that I have the support and the training.”

He also said he was looking forward to seeing Spain.

“I like seeing different cultures and different things,” he said. “It’s always a learning experience in a way. I wouldn’t be able to do this (otherwise), probably.”

In June, Yorks competed in the elite Dream Mile race in New York, finishing eighth, in 4:04.38. He entered the race with the nation’s fastest mile time.

“It was an OK race,” he said. “I ran a 4:04 and I wasn’t feeling too great, but I was able to be consistent on a not-so-great day.”

But the pair of disappointing showings isn’t the end for Yorks.

“I’m a big believer that if you believe in it, it can happen,” he said.

And next, it’s going to happen at the University of Portland, where Yorks has a track scholarship. He isn’t sure of his major, but is considering physical therapy and pre-law. And he’ll be rooming with fellow runner Nick Borg, a Peninsula High School graduate who he says is “a pretty fun guy.”

Yorks conceded that it will be hard to leave home, “But it’s going to be less weird than if I had gone to Wisconsin or something because getting back from there would be a pain, but if I wanted to, I could come home from Portland every weekend.”

And he also expects to see his family – especially his father – on the sidelines at his meets.

“I know he’ll make it to the big ones,” he said.

It also wasn’t easy leaving Lakes, where Yorks starred in both cross country and track. As a senior, he won the league and district cross-country meets, setting a personal best time of 15:19 in the 5K run at the former. In track season, he set a state record in the 1,600 at the state meet, completing the four laps in 4:04.

“I wish I could stay in a way,” he said, “but I’m really excited to move on to college.”

During his final season, Lakes coach Joe Clark said that Yorks is “a blessing” to coach, and that the team will miss him.

“He works hard, he knows how to race and he follows his plan,” Clark said.

Yorks, who began running in eighth grade, said that he enjoys the sport because it helps build upon the work ethic he learned from his family. His younger sister, Brittany, is in a wheelchair, and he said he admires her determination. Brittany will be a senior next year at Clover Park High School.

“That makes me think it’s a blessing to be able to run, and I wouldn’t want to waste it,” he said. “She’s been a big inspiration to me.”

And he’s hoping to be an inspiration to others, too.

“I want to do well in college, but ultimately, I would like to become a professional runner and medal at the Olympics,” he said.

So does that mean he can see himself still running when his 10-year reunion at Lakes rolls around?

“I do,” he said. “I’m pretty optimistic about that stuff, and I see myself running professionally in 10 years.”