Weather may have canceled the past two outdoor track meets for Oklahoma Wesleyan University, but it won’t stop one athlete from leaving his mark.
Edward Johnson will need more than some snow to slow him down.
“He’s very passionate about the sprint, and about getting better,” OKWU track coach Mark Miller said of Johnson, a junior sprinter for the Eagles.
After Saint Gregory’s University in Shawnee dropped their track program last year, Johnson was looking for another place to run. OKWU gave him that opportunity.
Johnson has brought a lot to the program in the past year.
“He brings talent. (He is) one of the most talented runners we have,” Miller said.
In addition to his speed – a 6.40 time in the 55 meter sprint at NCCAA nationals gave him top honors in the nation – Johnson also brings a determined work ethic, which Miller says can be a concern at times, “having to be cautious about (Johnson) wanting to over-practice.”
A hamstring injury suffered at NCCAA nationals has not stopped Johnson from striving for perfection, either.
“He was a little disappointed knowing that he was a few spots outside of NAIA American (for indoor track),” Miller said.
At NAIA nationals in the beginning of March, Johnson ran the 60 meter dash with times of 6.9 seconds in the first heat and the semifinal.
It was just tenths of a second short of qualifying him for the final round.
“That kind of left a bad taste in his mouth even though he was coming off an injury and did a great job.”
Johnson and the rest of the team turn their efforts towards the outdoor season now.
If the weather would cooperate, that is.
A sudden snow storm nixed their meet yesterday against Oklahoma Baptist in Shawnee. The next chance for action comes in Edmond at the Ray Vaughn Classic at Oklahoma Christian next Saturday. With an already short season, the Eagles hope this one wont get canceled, too.
“I hope we get some good weather for (Johnson) to have the opportunity to qualify for both (outdoor) nationals,” Miller said.
But track and field is not only about one person.
Several other athletes have a shot to finish strong in their events, including David Rannabarger and Alicia Efron, both sophomores.
Rannabarger competes in the steeple chase, a 3,000 meter event that includes hurdles and water barriers. Efron throws for the Eagles, including the shot, the disc and the hammer.
The multi event athletes also look to do good this season, Miller says. For the men, Jentry Blain, Rich Brown, Josh Head and Danny James train for the decathlon.
Leslie Smith is the lone female competing in a multi, the heptathlon.
The next chance for these multi-tasking athletes comes on April 8 and 9 when they head to Cowley College in Ark City, Ks.
“I think that they are looking to do very well in those two events”? Miller said.
It’s been tough for the track and field crew to train this season, however.
“The weather has been a little bit frustrating. They’ve been keeping good attitudes, working hard indoors and getting things accomplished,” Miller said.
One thing that has made the weather easier to deal with has been the team’s chemistry, a big strength, he says.
“Everyone cheers for each other and they work hard together. No matter what the circumstances are, they are really there for each other, guys and girls working together,” Miller said.
For the outdoor season, Johnson will compete in the 100 and 200 meter sprint. Miller also hopes to have Johnson make an impact on 4×100 meter relay team, alongside Scott Coutouzis, Camille Hourani and Devon Arredondo.
If his performance in the indoor season is an indicator, Johnson will work his hardest to finish strong, no matter what it takes.
“He has his eyes set on that 100 meter,” Miller said.
Weather cooperating and injuries notwithstanding, Johnson and the rest of the OKWU track team continue to work through the difficulties to do their best in competition.
Success this season, for Miller, is “for everyone to go out there and give 100 percent and to get better than what they came in at. Through that will come success.”