Continuing on her summer splash on the running circuit, The Dalles athlete Emily Johnson picked up a pair of second-place finishes Saturday at Central Oregon Track Club Olympic Development Meet in Bend.
In her try at 1,500-meters, Johnson had a final time of five minutes and 55 seconds, 20 seconds off her previous career-best set two weeks ago at Linfield College (5:35).
At 800 meters, The Dalles Middle School sixth grader crossed the wire in 2:54 to end her day with two Silver medals.
Also at Linfield, Johnson had a time of 2:45 for fourth place.
In her two other events this summer, Johnson has shown ability to put her efforts forward against solid competition.
The long-term game plan scheduled by running coach Heather Fitz-Gustafson is to slightly taper the overall work outputs this week, so that Johnson will feel fresh and fast in her hopes to qualify for regionals.
“Right now, we are focusing on her going out with the leaders and just tucking behind them and drafting until the end,” Fitz-Gustafson said of Johnson’s strategy.
The Junior Olympic State Meet is this Saturday and Sunday at Linfield College in McMinnville.
If Johnson can get her times closer optimum levels, the summer season will extend well into July.
“This is her first year in track, which is extra impressive because it shows how much natural ability she has to be a tough competitor,” Fitz-Gustafson said. “Each event requires a game plan and she has a lot of that ability naturally.”
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