2008 Woodie Awards
Men's Track Athlete of the Year
Pham runs, hurdles to most points
Thomas Phan
Issue date: 6/2/08 Section: Sports
Yvan Pham's competitive drive paid off this year, earning him the title De Anza College Male Track and Field Athlete of the Year for 2008.
Pham accumulated the highest point total on the team and participated in the Northern California Community College Championships, where he was a finalist for the 110m hurdles and 4x400m relay, as well as a qualifier for the 400m hurdles and the long jump.
During the year, he also participated in the triple jump and the 4x100m relay. His solid performances in these events led to his high point tally.
"I think track is more enjoyable if you have more events to participate in," Pham said. "I just wanted to go out and compete in whatever events I could."
Pham's preferred events are the hurdles and the long jump, but injuries to teammates during the year compelled him to participate in other events, too.
A track and field athlete will typically participate in three events at any given meet, but on occasion Pham took part in six events to gain points for the team - a display of competitiveness not lost on track coach Nick Mattis.
"He's a kid that did the most events at every track meet," Mattis said. "He worked as hard or harder than anyone to help out the team. He would go into any event we asked him to."
Pham's performance improved throughout the season, which ran from February 8 to mid-May.
His 400m hurdling time started out at around 58 seconds, but decreased consistently to around 56 seconds by the end of the season. His long jump distance improved from 19 ft to 21 ft.
Coach Mattis attributed Pham's output to his hard work during the year.
"Yvan works and stays focused among the best of all my players," he said. "When it was practice time, he knew he was there to work and was willing to put forth whatever it took to make himself better each day, and it showed in his success this year."
Pham began his college career at UC Irvine, took a year off, and is now in his third year of college. He has completed his community college eligibility and is looking forward to competing in track and field at a four-year school. He is still undecided with regard to where he will go.
"I just want to get better," he said. "It's always more fun to try to beat your mark in each event. It feels good, and it also feels good to compete with others."
Pham accumulated the highest point total on the team and participated in the Northern California Community College Championships, where he was a finalist for the 110m hurdles and 4x400m relay, as well as a qualifier for the 400m hurdles and the long jump.
During the year, he also participated in the triple jump and the 4x100m relay. His solid performances in these events led to his high point tally.
"I think track is more enjoyable if you have more events to participate in," Pham said. "I just wanted to go out and compete in whatever events I could."
Pham's preferred events are the hurdles and the long jump, but injuries to teammates during the year compelled him to participate in other events, too.
A track and field athlete will typically participate in three events at any given meet, but on occasion Pham took part in six events to gain points for the team - a display of competitiveness not lost on track coach Nick Mattis.
"He's a kid that did the most events at every track meet," Mattis said. "He worked as hard or harder than anyone to help out the team. He would go into any event we asked him to."
Pham's performance improved throughout the season, which ran from February 8 to mid-May.
His 400m hurdling time started out at around 58 seconds, but decreased consistently to around 56 seconds by the end of the season. His long jump distance improved from 19 ft to 21 ft.
Coach Mattis attributed Pham's output to his hard work during the year.
"Yvan works and stays focused among the best of all my players," he said. "When it was practice time, he knew he was there to work and was willing to put forth whatever it took to make himself better each day, and it showed in his success this year."
Pham began his college career at UC Irvine, took a year off, and is now in his third year of college. He has completed his community college eligibility and is looking forward to competing in track and field at a four-year school. He is still undecided with regard to where he will go.
"I just want to get better," he said. "It's always more fun to try to beat your mark in each event. It feels good, and it also feels good to compete with others."
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