'Amazing Race' sibling duo has Triangle ties

State Crime Control and Public Safety Secretary Reuben Young has a personal stake in this season of the CBS reality show "The Amazing Race" reality show: Two of the contestants are his niece and nephew.

The brother-sister duo of Justin and Jennifer Young is one of 11 two-member teams who spent the summer competing in the Emmy award winning show, which airs at 8 p.m. Sundays.

"They are go-getters. When they decide the want to do something, they pursue it," Reuben Young said.

Justin Young earned his medical degree after serving as student-body president at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jennifer Young has a master's degree in special education.

The two, who live in Georgia, said focus and determination will help them win the race.

"Our positive outlook and positive attitude, I think, goes a long way," Justin Young said.

"We think logically, and we think things out. I think that's what's going to help us out there," Jennifer Young said.

Rueben Young thinks his niece has another factor going in her favor: She grew up as the only girl with three brothers in the house.

"She's very sweet, but she's got some real strong survival instincts. I think it will serve her well," he said.

Contestants aren't allowed to talk about their time on the show yet, so no one knows if the Youngs won the $1 million prize. The team finished the first leg of the race in third place. Their uncle, though, isn't afraid to make predictions.

"I'm comfortable saying they'll do well," Reuben Young said.

Whatever happens on "The Amazing Race," Justin and Jennifer Young's drive to win is a testament to the lesson they've been taught all their lives, their uncle said.

"If you accomplish something, the first thing you've got to do is you've got to try. They're not afraid of trying," Reuben Young said.