For University of Hawai'i football player Michael Washington, the hope is the fast track to the playing field is through one of track-and-field's best, decathlete Bryan Clay.

Washington is entering his third year as one of the Warriors' best slot receivers. The thing is, he shares the same position as left slotback Davone Bess, also a junior, who has been the Warriors' best statistical receiver the past two seasons.

"I always get frustrated," Washington said of his lack of playing time. "But I keep hungry and humble. All I can do is work my butt off."

Even during the offseason, Washington participated in his version of two-a-day workouts. He worked out with teammates at UH and Clay at Punahou School.

Washington, who awakens at 5 a.m. each day, was running sprints on UH's Cooke Field track when he was spotted by Clay's coach. Washington then was invited to train with Clay. "It really helped a lot," Washington said. "He helped me with my speed."

Washington also went home to the Pittsburgh area for a couple of weeks. He worked out with All-Pro cornerback Ty Law, who also is an Aliquippa, Pa., resident. "He helped me with my technique," Washington said.

Washington, who is 5 feet 7 and 165 pounds, focused on improving his strength. He bench pressed 315 pounds six times.

"It shows that Mike worked hard during the summer," said Ron Lee, who coaches the UH receivers. "He's in great shape."

But whether the effort translates into more playing time is another matter. Despite back and leg injuries, Bess did not miss a start the past two years. Bess appears to be healthy this year.

"Junior year is an important year," Washington said. "I hope the hard work leads somewhere. I'm all about football. It's my job."

Lee said Bess, right slotback Ryan Grice-Mullins and left wideout Jason Rivers have the most game experience among the receivers. But Lee said the competition is open at the four receiver positions.

"We like Mike," Lee said. "He's awfully quick. He knows what to do. He has to be ready for his chance."

REALITY AND REEL LIFE

Even as a freshman, defensive end Korey Reynolds is used to double practices.

Reynolds played for Alabama's Hoover High, which was featured in the MTV reality show, "Two-A-Days." He had several brief appearances.

"It was a lot of fun, but it was hard work," Reynolds said.

Reynolds said the show serves as an ice-breaker. "It helps in making new friends," he said. "It's a topic of conversation."

Reynolds takes more pride in his third-place finish in a national high school weight-lifting competition.

He bench pressed 185 pounds 34 times. The winner had 40 repetitions, and the second-place finisher had 35.

The competition was divided into three regions: Southeast, North and West. The Southeast regional was held at Hoover High.

Reynolds won the Southeast regional, and his entry was compared against the other regions. He won a trophy — and respect.

Reynolds is a weight-lifting enthusiast who can bench a maximum 450 pounds. The first time he lifted 400 pounds, he recalled, "was like breaking down a brick wall."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.