Bergen Catholic’s Johnson wins in Non-Public A by Paul Schwartz of The Record
TOMS RIVER — The results of the 55-meter dash qualifying at the state Non-Public A boys championship Saturday were posted and the top two qualifiers were sophomore Rahmir Johnson and his senior teammate Jahmel Johnson (no relation).
A bystander asked who was going to win the showdown a half hour later.
“I am,” said Rahmir, the top qualifier.
“No, I am,” said Jahmel, the defending champion.
Then they laughed and each pointed to themselves as if to emphasize the point.
The older Johnson proved to be the better prophet and slightly faster runner, winning his second straight 55 title in a personal-best 6.54 seconds, .03 ahead of his younger teammate. The 1-2 finish helped the Crusaders to finish third in the final team standings.
“We battle each other every day in practice and in meets and trash talk each other all the time, about who is the best,” said Jahmel. “But next year he can have it.”
“Sometimes I think I’m only running against him and I lose my form,” said Rahmir. “But I’m learning that in order to have a chance to win I have to keep my form.”
Now both move on to the state Meet of Champions next Saurday, with Jahmel Johnson looking to redeem himself after missing the final last year. And Rahmir Johnson will also try to make the 55 final but is seeded third in the 200-meter Showcase event that is part of the final meet of the state season.
Someone else who might be in position to claim a medal is Paramus Catholic high jumper Javon Turner, who added a first indoor title to the three golds he earned last spring, two in the 100 and 200 and the third in the high jump.
Turner was clean all the way to his winning height of 6-4 and if he can repeat the feat next week or even duplicate his 6-6 effort from Wednesday’s Bergen County championship, he can add an MOC medal to the eighth he got last year at 100 meters.
Pretty good results for a guy who had been in a bit of a jumping slump before his monster clearance Wednesday.
“I sometimes don’t arch my back the way I should and don’t get my butt over the bar,” said Turner. “I don’t always practice jumping the way I do the sprints and I get lazy.”
“But last week I worked on that all week with my coach and the last two meets have shown the results.”