Texas Tech University Athletics
Setting the Pace
May 06, 2005 | Track and Field
May 6, 2005
By Bob Burns, Sacramento Sports Commission
Jonathan Johnson grew up in Texas, where those with speed and a zest for contact inevitably wind up on a football field. Johnson was no exception. He played running back and was a pretty fair one.
But Johnson had the good sense to realize that his running style is better suited to track, where he doesn't need to wait for anyone running interference.
And in track circles, he's very much an exception.
When he defends his 800-meter title at the upcoming NCAA Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, it's a safe bet Johnson will run his last collegiate race the same way he ran the others - from the front of the pack, a cannonball shot from the starter's pistol.
"I'm not going to change for anyone," Johnson said of his front-running tactics. "This works for me."
In Sacramento, the Texas Tech senior will return to the scene of his greatest triumph. At last year's U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, Johnson circled the Hornet Stadium oval twice in 1 minute, 44.67 seconds. The breakthrough victory made Johnson just the fourth runner in history to win the 800 at the NCAA and Olympic Trials in the same year.
Judging from his performance last weekend, Johnson looks primed to make a strong defense of his NCAA title. At the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, he clocked a 1:47.2 split in anchoring Texas Tech to victory in the sprint medley. He also anchored the Red Raiders to a second-place finish in the 1,600 relay, battling Florida's Kerron Clement, the world indoor record holder in the 400, on the final leg.
Powerfully built at 5-foot-9 and 155 pounds, Johnson stands out among his leaner rivals when he steps to the starting line. He further differentiates himself by racing to lead on the first turn. Many runners with his speed (46.2 in the 400) would prefer to bide their time in the early stages and rely on their finishing kicks. Not Johnson.
"I need to run from the front," he said. "If you plan on running on the pro circuit, you have to go through the quarter faster than 52 or 53 (seconds). You're not going to be competitive with the best in the world if you don't challenge yourself."
Johnson ran the second-fastest race of his life (1:45.32) in the first-round heats of the Olympic Games in Athens. He was in contention through 600 meters in his Olympic semifinal before running out of gas in the stretch. The Olympic experience whetted his appetite for more.
"I want to open some eyes," Johnson said. "A lot of people don't think Americans can be competitive at the top level. I want to prove them wrong."
At the 2003 NCAA championships in Sacramento, Johnson, then a sophomore, set the pace. Penn's Sean Burley nipped him at the wire, 1:46.50 to 1:46.51, but the near miss didn't leave the front-runner with cold feet. At last year's NCAA meet in Austin, Texas, Johnson ran a sizzling 24.2 for the opening 200 and stayed in front to the finish, clocking 1:46.39.
A month later, at the Olympic Trials, Johnson had some unexpected help with the pacesetting chores. Jebreh Harris stayed even with Johnson through a torrid opening 200 and actually led at the bell. But with a half-lap remaining, Johnson left Harris and the rest of the field behind, cracking the 1:45 barrier for the first time.
"I knew that if I got in a good race with nice weather, I could run fast," Johnson said. "It was a matter of getting out fast on the first lap, and Harris was a big help. He challenge me and made me run."
The thrill of the challenge is what drew Johnson to the 800 in the first place.
"I love the event," Johnson said. "You hurt when you run it. A lot of people don't like that feeling. It's part of my football mentality. I took a lot of blows at running back, but I'm a strong person. I'm not going to let the hurt stop me from accomplishing what I want to accomplish."
In other words, get out of his way.
