SWIFT WORKER
Tairah Johnson had a busy schedule at the UIL state track and field championships. The Fort Bend Marshall senior competed in four different events, including a pair of relays, and helped the Buffalos capture their second straight Class 5A crown in Austin.
Johnson, who will continue her track career at University of Tennessee, defended her 100-meter hurdles title with a personal record of 13.62 seconds. She did that with a stress fracture in her toe.
Johnson also took fifth place in the long jump at 19 feet, 2 inches, and was a member of two silver medalwinning relays teams for Marshall.
Johnson ran the opening leg for the 4x100-meter relay team that clocked in at 46.26 seconds. She was joined by teammates Cesley Williams, Brittney Green and Janai Williams in that race.
Johnson later ran the second leg for the 4x200-meter relay team that crossed the finish line at 1:38.05. She was joined in that race by Green, Tyeler Moore and Janai Williams.
In addition to her three state medals, Johnson also was a four-time regional champion in those same events this year.
For her contributions to the top team in the state, she is the All-Greater Houston girls track and field athlete of the year.
Q: What did it mean to win a second consecutive state title for this Marshall program?
Johnson: “It meant a lot. We had five people on our team last year (at state), and we overcame obstacles last year. We knew this year that we would have a lot more talent coming in and we would be able to accomplish more with more people.”
Q: What kind of preparation went into that meet?
Johnson said: “I came in with four events, so I knew I really had to help the team out with coming up with the most points.”
Q: What was it like competing in four different events at state?
Johnson: “It was a lot, and a lot of people didn’t know I had a (toe) stress fracture while doing that, but my doctor cleared me to run. I had to take ibuprofen before I ran and everything like that. I had to make sure my mind was in it for the team. I didn’t want to let the team down.”
Q: How did it feel to win the 100-meter hurdles again and defend your state title?
Johnson: “I felt good because I knew I had a target on my back. I was going in with a goal to PR and defend my state title. I did exactly what I wanted to do. I didn’t focus on a time. I just focused on executing because that’s what my coach told me to do. If you execute, the time you want will come.”
Q: What was the key to the success of the relays this year?
Johnson: “We knew we had to do better than we did last year in the relays because we didn’t do too well in them last year, besides the 4x1. So doing that felt really good.”
Q: How does it feel knowing you were a part of the first two state titles in program history?
Johnson: “It’s meant a lot. I know that I’m a part of history now because we won back-to-back for the females and I was a part of those two years.”
Q: What did it mean for the girls and boys to win state during the same year?
Johnson: “All we really wanted to do was put on for our city. We wanted to let everybody know that both the girls and boys could do it. We’ve been getting a lot of recognition for it.”