The Bruin won the 1986 Pac-10 400 m hurdles title on the advice of Andre Phillips sharing his knowledge of running this distance at the Los Angeles Coliseum under windy conditions.

While in Indiana for that year's 1986 NCAA Championships, Young was a surprise second-place finisher behind the 1984 Olympic silver medalists, Danny Harris of Iowa State.

He and his Bruin 4×400 m relay teammates of Anthony Washington, Henry Thomas, and Danny Everett set a then NCAA and collegiate record of 3:00.55.

With the addition of California prep 400 m specialist Steven Lewis, the Bruins' 4 × 400 m relay team became the first ever collegiate team to run under 3 minutes (2:59.91; relay splits: Steve Lewis 45.1, Kevin Young 44.3, Danny Everett, 45.4, Henry Thomas 45.1), 2:59.91 CR.

Kevin Young finished his senior year as team captain and the most valuable male collegiate athlete in the United States, winning the Jumbo Elliott Award.

In 1992, Young won his first USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships title and was unbeaten prior to the Barcelona Olympics.

Realizing he had the clear victory, he raised his right arm in celebration 10 meters before the finish, slowing his last four strides.

It is well noted that Young, throughout the 1992 season prior to Barcelona, placed small pieces of paper with the numbers 46.89 in each running spike.

Still nursing a nagging knee injury, Young looked forward to a meaningful 1995 season practicing at Life College.

Unable to manage with a meniscus tear on his lead leg, the injury compromised his season requiring surgery two days after his birthday.

With help from coach Bobby Kersee, Young was eager to get ready for the Atlanta trials, only to advance as far as the semis, placing fifth in his heat.

At the 1998 European "Group B" Champions Cup, Young won the 400m hurdles event setting then a club record.

Never "officially" retiring, Young simply marveled in the exploits of the newer talented group of hurdlers respecting their feats and his own achievements.