ASU's First Day of Fall & Olympian Visit | News

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA)- It was a packed day on the campus of Alabama State University.

"It's pretty crazy, but not it's not overbearingly crazy, it's exciting crazy," ASU Freshman Rachel Mills said.

Long lines at the bookstore, financial aid and registrar's office.

"The line was really long," ASU Freshman Melissa Christmann said.

Christmann and Mills say they're nervous and excited about the first day of their college career.

"Registration was easy. That was fun. There are a lot of people who are very involved in this school and really like the school. So they really pump you up and get you excited for classes," Christmann said.

Both have a full day of classes on their first day. They say it will be a challenging year ahead as student athletes, but they plan on crossing the finish line strong.

"If I can pull it off, it will be one of those yeah moments, but yeah, getting there will be a little tough but it will be worth it," Mills said.

And encouraging those student athletes was world and Olympic record holder Kevin Young.

"[I] had the race of my life, broke the world record, while getting my gold medal," Young said.

In 1992, he won the gold in Barcelona, Spain for the men's 400 meter hurdles.

Now Young says he's paying it forward by mentoring several college students like Ishmel Zamor.

"And I'm here to make sure that I get an opportunity to see what he actually goes through being here on campus and it kind of warms me up quite honestly being back on a college campus," Young said.

Ishmel says it gets tough, but he says having a mentor like Young gives him an extra jolt to keep hanging in there.

"He is just showing me the ropes and what to do and not to do and things like that to better prepare myself," Zamor said.

Young is still involved in the sports world. He is USA Track and Field Athletic Advisor Chair and lives in Atlanta.

And in case you wondering, Young is still at it. He says he's training now for the senior world championship to be held in Moscow next year.

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