June 29, 2008

Willie Davenport, Rodney Milburn, and now, Brian Johnson -- SU Olympians. Brian Johnson solidified his name in Southern athletic lore forever, as he finished second in the long jump today at the US Olympic Trials in Eugene, OR.

Johnson had the leading jump on the trials heading into today's long jump finals. On Friday, Brian leaped 8.09m (26-06.50 ft), outdistancing eventual winner, Travell Quinley, by 3 inches.

Brian Johsnon leaps his way onto US Olympic Team

On Sunday, Trevell Quinley lept 8.36m (27-05.25 ft) to take the win over Johnson, who had a second place jump of 8.30m (27-02.75 ft), while Miguel Pate finished third.

"I felt pretty good today. I felt okay. A little jittery at first but it is kind of the biggest meet of your life so you just try to keep your composure. Once I started to feel it, I started getting where I needed to be. So overall I felt good. I am on the team. I wanted to win, but I let it slip away from me, but I guess the biggest thing is I am on the team and I live to go to Beijing", said Brian Johnson.

Brian Johnson is a former SU Jaguar two-sport athlete (basektball and track), and is the US's number one ranked long jumper. Johnson is also an assistant coach for the Southern Jaguars Track team.

Johnson has three of the top seven jumps in the world this year and entered the US Olympic Trials with the top wind-legal mark of 27-2 3/4. He was the 2006 USA Outdoor champion and was part of the 2005 World Championships team. He ranks fourth in the world.

"My main thing is staying healthy. The distances will get further and further if I stay healthy", replied Johnson.

Although Johnson trains with former LSU assistant Boo Schexnayder, Brian says he dedicated his performance to SU head Track Coach, Johnny Thomas. Thomas has been ill for some time now, and has taken a leave of absence from SU.

The Beijing (China) 2008 Olympic Games are August 8-24, 2008.

Johnson's Year-by-Year Track Accomplishments:
2008: 5th at Bislett Games Oslo (8.12), 2nd at US Olympic Trials (8.30)
2007: 5th at US Outdoor Championships (8.11m/26-7.25)...2nd at USA Indoors (8.03m/26-4.25)...2nd at Rethymno (8.31m/27-3.25)...3rd at Nike Prefontaine Classic (8.11m/26-7.25)...ranked #6 in world, #2 U.S. by T&FN...best of 8.31m/ 27-3.25...best of 8.31m/ 27-3.25.
2006: USA Outdoor Champion (8.10m/26-7)...USA Indoor champion (7.95m/26-1)...1st at Xalapa (8.24m/27-0.5)...4th at Nike Prefontaine Classic (7.89m/25-10.75)...11th at Meeting Gaz de France Paris Saint-Denis (7.64m/25-0.75)...12th at Golden Gala (7.28m/23-10.75)...ranked #3 in U.S. by T&FN...best of 8.24m/27-0.5.
2005: 1st at USA Indoor Champs (7.89m/25-10.75)...3rd at USA Outdoor Champs (8.08m/26-6.5)...10th in Group B qualifying at World Outdoor Champs (7.91m/25-11.5)...1st at Payton Jordan U.S. Open (8.17m/26-9.75)...1st at Bad Langensalza (8.33m/27-4)...ranked #9 in world (#3 U.S.) by T&FN...best of 8.33m/27-4.
2004: 4th at 2004 USA Indoor Champs (7.51m/24-7.75).
2003: Injured in April-did not compete for the rest of the season...NCAA Indoor Champion (8.28m/27-2).
2002: 3rd at NCAA Outdoor Champs (7.96m/26-1.5).
2001: 3rd at NCAA Outdoor Champs (8.06m/26-5.5).
2000: 19th at NCAA Champs (6.27m/20-07).