Johnson Earns All-American Honor

The 4th place WOU star sets personal best in heptathlon with 5,080 points.

Salem-News.com Sports

EMPORIA, Kan. - Bridget Johnson slightly bettered her personal best and earned All-American honors by placing fourth in the heptathlon today at the NCAA Division II national championships, held at Welch Stadium at Emporia State University.

Johnson tallied a total of 5,080 points, seven better than the PR that she established last year at the national championships (5,073) when she placed fifth.

TiaNiecia Mosely of Adams State won the event by a scant three points over Jessica Withrow of Abilene Christian. Mosely finished with 5,294 points to Withrow`s 5,291—edging her in the 800 meters (the day`s final event) by less than a second to take over the lead.

Johnson, who will also compete in the javelin on Saturday, went 17-6 in the long jump, 144-2 in the javelin and ran the 800 in 2:30.21. The javelin toss was the second best among all competitors, while the long jump ranked 11th in the field. Her 800 was right in the middle of pack of 13 heptathletes.

�Bridget had a real solid second day,� said WOU head coach Mike Johnson. �She was very consistent, did reasonably well in all seven events. That is all that we can ask of her, and she came through once again.�

Johnson is now a two-time NCAA Division II All-American, with one more opportunity to add a third laurel. Only WOU`s Monica Smith (2003 and 2005) has earned three All-American honors since the school moved up to Division II status in 2001.

�I will give it my best tomorrow,� said a tired Johnson after the heptathlon. �I had a good second day, an average first day. I didn`t really do anything spectacular, I didn`t have any personal bests in any of the events. But I didn`t have any disasters either, and that was my goal—to be consistent throughout. With that, I felt like I did OK.�

On Thursday, Johnson had a time of 14.82 in the 100 hurdles (6th of 13 competitors), was second in the shot put (38-3), went 5-3 ¾ (4th) in the high jump and was in the middle of the pack (7th) in the 200 meters (26.71).

Johnson and Nini Callan will compete in the javelin on Saturday, beginning at approximately noon. You can follow the results on www.flashresults.com.

2006 NCAA DIVISION II HEPTATHLON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

May 25-26, 2006 at Emporia, KS (Welch Stadium)

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