From sprinter to record-breaker: Christopher Johnson鈥檚 discus journey at Stillman
How far Christopher Johnson can throw a discus may only be matched by how far he's come since setting foot on Stillman's campus.
"I'd never think I'd be a discus thrower and qualify for Nationals, I thought I was just going to be a runner," Johnson said.
Johnson first came to Stillman as a sprinter and jumper, but after suffering a knee injury playing basketball, things changed.
"Just falling in love with rehab and falling in love with the gym," Johnson said.
As he worked his way back, Stillman head track and field coach Ashley Curry introduced him to discus.
"He had to think about it in the beginning, and then he said, 'Coach, I'm just going to trust you,'" Curry said.
Then, with every spin and throw, he fell in love.
"Studying it and watching the greats do it and just trying to learn it and do it myself. Just fell in love with the process of trying to learn how to throw the discus," Johnson said.
His first year throwing there was a learning curve, but it only served to motivate Johnson.
"When he went out his first year, he probably threw like 40 meters. He said, 'I'm not going to get content, I want it,'" Curry said.
He went after it and got it, becoming Stillman's first NAIA National Championships qualifier last year. This year, he qualified again with a Stillman record throw of 54.78 meters.
"When I threw it, I just took off running with joy and happiness, I just had a little victory lap," Johnson said.
Johnson, a fellow Meridian, Mississippi, native, has reached heights Curry always knew he'd reach.
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She said people from Meridian are just go-getters.
"It's not too many words to put for this young man. He is truly dynamic. He's a great leader on and off the field, so to be able to be amongst him, I feel special to be around a person like Chris," Curry said.
He's made his mark at Stillman.
"I promise you everyone will remember Christopher J. Johnson from Meridian, Mississippi, who holds the school record and will continue to break records," Curry said.
Johnson's story, though, is far from over; next week's Nationals are on deck.
"This is my last chance to compete for my school, so I'm just going to go out there, be confident and don't leave nothing on the table. Leave nothing on the plate, just go out there and eat," Johnson said.