Q&A With Junior Jonathan Johnson
April 26, 2004 | Track and Field
April 26, 2004
With just a week before the conference championships, Jonathan Johnson has secured the fastest time in the country and the second fastest in the world in the 800 meter with a time of 1:46.32 at the Mt. Sac Relays. We caught up with Johnson who discussed the Mt. Sac race, the outcome of the Big 12 Championships and his shot at competing in the 2004 Olympics.
"Describe the race at Mt. Sac Relays where you turned in the fastest time in the nation and the second-fastest time in the world."
"The competition was tough the first 100 meters or so until I cut in. Then I was pretty much on my own. I set the pace and no one really came out and set it with me."
"Did you know during the race that your time would rank where it did?"
"Somewhat. When I came through at the first 400 I was running a 52, about two seconds slower than my normal so I knew I wasn't going real fast. However, when I came through at the third 200 I was about two seconds faster. I really didn't know until I looked at the scoreboard what my exact time would be."
"What will you have to do to continue this pace into post season?"
"I just need to keep on doing what I have been doing. Training hard, pushing myself 100% and keeping my work ethic up are just some of the stuff I need to focus on. I train a lot by myself, along with Coach Kittley's help, so I just need to continue to push myself. I have done it since high school so I am a little more used to it now."
"As a team where do you expect the men's team to finish at the Big 12 Championships this next weekend?"
"I would like to see us finish in the top four. If we are on point, we will be on the hunt to win. This year no one really dominates. There are a bunch of groups who compete at the same level. With us being healthy and if we compete the best we can, I think we could win the whole thing."
"Now onto what everyone has been talking about, the Olympic Trials. Can we expect you to make an appearance at the Trials in early July?"
"I am pretty excited to go to the Olympic trials. It will be my opportunity to really show the world that America is just not about sprints, that we can also be contenders in the 800m. There will definitely be some great competition and they only take the top three."
"Do you ever just stop, realize you are competing with the best in the world with a shot at the Olympics and go 'Wow!'?"
"Not really. I just love doing it; the racing and the competition. It is part of my every day life and every race is just another foot race. I guess I don't see it the same way as the spectators do because I love doing it. Of course the Olympic Trials will be more exciting because of the crowd. I run harder with a crowd because the adrenaline is much more intense and I really don't want to lose in front of a crowd. But to me every race is just another foot race."