Not many athletes can say they had the athletic and academic success that Latisha Johnson had in the spring of 2004.
Johnson will compete at the NCAA National meet at 6 p.m. Thursday in Austin, Texas, after a semester that resulted in school and conference records, along with a 4.0 grade point average. But the journey actually began before the semester started.
On December 6, 2003 during the Early Bird Invite at Horton Field House, Johnson set the tone for her senior season by breaking the school and Missouri Valley Conference record in the indoor shot put with a throw of 50-2 1/2. Johnson wasnt done there however, as the Jacksonville, Ill., native broke the school and Valley record two more times during the indoor season, eventually winning the shot put title at the MVC Indoor Championships with a throw of 52-2 3/4.
Johnson then set the new school and Valley standard in the outdoor shot put on May 1 at the Musco Twilight in Iowa City. She placed first with a toss of 52-6 1/2, then won the shot put title at the MVC Outdoor Championships two weeks later. On May 29, Johnson qualified for nationals by throwing a fifth place mark of 53-1 3/4 at the NCAA Mideast Regional.
Johnson accomplished all of this while maintaining a 4.0 GPA in middle level teacher education during the spring semester.
It was an amazing semester for her, Illinois State assistant coach for throws Brent Chumbley said. If you look at the athletic semester she had, to be able to juggle her classroom work with all the other demands on her time, pulling a 4.0 is a testament to Tish (Johnson) and her work ethic.
According to Chumbley, Johnson may continue to advance on her school and Valley record before her career is finished. It is not uncommon for her to throw a distance of 54-55 feet in practice, and Chumbley is confident Johnson can accomplish that task during nationals this week.
Theres no pressure on her this week, Chumbley said. Its time to go out there and just throw for the fun of it. It wouldnt surprise me if she goes over 54 or 55 feet.
Johnson certainly likes her chances heading into the national meet.
My throwing has been pretty consistent and I dont foresee any problems, Johnson said. One of my goals at the beginning of the year was to throw 55 feet. Im almost there and would very much like to see that goal accomplished.
Johnsons throw of 53-1 3/4 at the regional meet put her on the Olympics B standard list, which gives Johnson the chance to compete at the 2004 USA Olympic Team Trials July 9-18 in Sacramento, Calif. According to Chumbley, if Johnson were to throw over 54 or 55 feet at nationals, she would qualify for the team trials. Johnson is certainly excited about the possibility.
Its a great opportunity that I would love to have, Johnson said. Well see how things go.
