Who is Ed White's Superstar Tristie Johnson?
Tristie Johnson.
Remember the name.
We'll be hearing it a lot at this weekend's 3A FHSAA State Championship Meet. With the 7th fastest time in the nation in the 100 at 11.71 (UNF Spring Break Invitational +1.4) and a slightly wind-aided 23.82 on her resume (UNF Spring Break Invitational +2.7), the Ed White senior has consistently delivered during the 2012 Track season.
The Bethune-Cookman verbal commit is somewhat of an unknown to the mass track audience but not to those who dwelve into the rankings and to college coaches nationwide who see great potential with her range from the 100 to the 400 meter dash.
As Edward White's sole qualifier for 3A State this weekend, Tristie roared out of Regionals with wins in the 100 (11.79) and 200 (23.98) and even toyed with the idea of going for the sprint trifecta in the 400 where she has a personal best of 56.68 to her credit.
Tristie believes her biggest asset is her mindset and is not one to worry about what the competition is able to do on a given day. She also credits her year round involvement with her AAU Club Team, Jacksonville based, "The Young Achievers Sprint Club" and Head Coach Byron Copeland III.
Following her stellar performance following her victories at the University of North Florida Spring Break Invitational earlier this spring, Coach Copeland is quoted as saying, "Tristie has been working really hard to attain her personal goals; it is never about beating any other contender but doing the very best she can. She has worked very hard over the last four years to get to this point and she is extremely proud of the progress and growth she has made as an athlete and student in the classroom as well."
Currently ranked 4th in Florida in the 100 behind national elites Sanders, Davis-White and Reynolds, Tristie Johnson is on the cusp of becoming a household name for track afficionados nationwide.
After a 5th place finish in the 100 at the 2011 Outdoor State Finals, Tristie has made great strides in lowering her times and dealing with the pressure of big races competing at the Golden South Classic (7th 12.05), the USA Youth Outdoor Track and Field Championships where she placed 4th in the 200 (24.54) and was also crowned the AAU National Club Championships champion in the 200 (PR 23.73).
With an eye toward majoring in business or possibly becoming a Pediatrician, Tristie has a bright future and huge upside potential at the next level especially considering she is still growing into her frame and has never hit the weight room.
With role models such as Sanya Richards-Ross and Allyson Felix at the Pro level, Tristie has plenty of goals well into the future.
So who is Ed White's Superstar Tristie Johnson and how will she do this weekend? If her efforts over the past year and especially this past spring are any indication, it's very possible we will all know the answer very soon as she competes at the 3A State Meet this weekend.
