Lady Cougar Madison Johnson makes All Prep-Xtra and 5-Star Prep

TOP PHOTO: Madison Johnson makes All Prep-Xtra and 5-Star Prep with Track and Field.

By Charlotte Underwood

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – Campbell County High School Junior Madison Johnson made All Prep-Xtra team and 5-Star Prep team with Track and Field after a great season.

This past spring Madison competed in the Pentathlon for the first time having to compete in the events: high jump, long jump, hurdles, shot put, and 800 meter. 

She finished 5th, and was close to making it to State, which is now on her radar for her senior season. 

Madison also made it to sections in hurdles this year, which was her first year competing. 

According her mother Shaniell, Madison “kept improving her time every race to get there.”

She set a personal record in high jump this year at 5’4″ and was on the verge of 5’6″. Madison tied for first place at Sections but they flipped a coin to call who would be put down as first place, she lost the coin toss. 

She went on to compete at State and finished 9th. The weather was horrible, the field was flooded, so conditions were not the best.

After the season concluded, she was named to All-Prep Xtra Track and Field Team and was just recently named to 5-Star Prep Track and Field 2nd Team.

“It all goes so fast, and character makes the difference when it’s close,” Madison said. 

She also said she wanted to thank two important coaches that have helped in her success in Track and Field. Those coaches are Greg Vincent, her La Follette Middle School coach, who still comes to support her at meets, and of course, Coach Chris Shouse at Campbell County High School. 

“They’ve never gave up on me and both have always believed in me,” Madison said. 

Madison Johnson started track in sixth grade and has been high jumping ever since. According to Madison, it was during her eighth grade year “when everything just came together” and she finished 2nd at the Middle School State Track and Field Meet jumping 4’11. She also is on the 4×400 and 4×200 relay teams that hold the records at La Follette Middle School. 

She didn’t get a freshman year due to Covid, so her sophomore year is when she finally got to compete again and setting a personal record at 5’2″. She finished 4th at sections and 8th at State that year. 

Her mother Shaniell said she was very proud of Madison.

“She puts in the work off and on season. The growth in her confidence has been amazing to watch. I’ve always told her, as long as you believe in yourself, you can do whatever you set your mind to,” Shaniell Johnson said. 

While competing, Madison said she keeps several Bible verses and positive quotes in mind such as “Find the good. It’s all around you. Find it, showcase it and you’ll start believing it. And Psalm 18:29, For by you, I can run against a troop and by my God I can leap over a wall.”

Madison said she plans on trying to earn a college scholarship for Track and Field. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 07/21/2022-6AM)