PASCO — If Ryan Young had his way, the wristband might never come off.

Granted, his summer basketball schedule — among the other athletic endeavors he’ll take on in the upcoming season — will probably wear down the lime-green plastic band.

“Or until one of the (basketball) refs asks me to take it off,” Young said with a smile.

The band that each athlete at state receives prior to competition bears the words “Star Track,” and is Young’s memento of the tournament in which he won a state title for North Kitsap High School. But at this point, it is tradition to leave it on, he commented.

“Last year at districts, we got wristbands (at that event) and just left them on,” Young said. “I ended up keeping mine on until July.”

In the midst of rain and hail, Young threw six times at state, the best being a 185’5’’ in the competition. That throw was not matched at the 4A — let alone the 3A — level, making the Vikings’ junior the best in state at javelin. Young beat out everyone in Washington this year by 10 inches.

The win was earned after Young overcame some other untimely adversity. He had to change the spikes on his shoes a week before competition and he “planted funny,” said Young, the Monday before state. That left the 6’5’’ junior with a joint flare up in his back.

Nonetheless, he was able to beat everyone at the Star Track competition in Pasco. The win qualifies the junior for the nationals event June 25-27. There, he’ll likely compete — with some help from local area sponsors — with the best in the nation.