Johnson gives leadership, aims to defend title

HUNTLEY – Each day when Huntley High School students walk by the school’s east gym, they see banners which highlight recent Red Raiders’ successes.

Among those banners is one for junior Red Raider Alex Johnson. Last season she won the state Class 3A long jump championship with a PR of 5.92 meters.

Johnson brings much leadership to the 70-member squad this season, head coach Jason Monson said.

“She works at it the whole off-season because track is her specialty,” Monson said. “She is a great team leader, is very interested in each of the athletes’ events.”

“It was great (to win sate), but I have a lot of work to do,” Johnson said.

In addition to defending a state title, what makes this season even more special for Johnson

is that her freshman sister, Dominic, is on the squad.

“It’s amazing, because she is so much improved,” the elder Johnson said.

Dominic Johnson had the long jump duties at Lakes’ meet.

Alex was happy with a third-place finish in the 200 meters and was anchor in the 4×200 meter relay, which included Dominic as well.

The Red Raiders have enjoyed a successful indoor season as they won their own 18-team meet Feb. 26. The squad finished as runner-up to Homewood-Flossmoor, 83-71 team score, at Lakes’ indoor meet March 5.

Monson described the team effort at Lakes as “five of the top 10 teams in Class 3A were there. We battled with the best..”

The Red Raiders’ boys and girls track teams will each host an indoor meet Saturday starting at 9:30 a.m.