Future Star: Dominique Johnson jumps into the spotlight

She started as a pure sprinter and now has added the triple jump to her repertoire

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Before she arrived at Huntley High School, Dominique Johnson was best noted for being 2021 3A state long jump champion Alex Johnson's little sister. However, Dominique Johnson was creating a buzz of her own on the middle-school scene. Johnson was able to test drive the Chicago Gately track in its inception last March. Specifically, she won the middle-school 60m and 200m at the Illinois Meet of Champions out of the penultimate sections!

Marlowe Middle School is where it started for Johnson who competed in the long jump, sprints, and relays. There weren't many opportunities to develop and compete in the triple jump at the youth level. Often times it's by happenstance or luck that a coach will find a kid who can leapfrog. 

In Johnson's first official high school track and field meet at the Rockford Auburn Girls Invite, she was entered in the 4x200 and 4x400 relays along with the triple jump. Johnson had two fouls and a monster mark. That measurement was registered at 39'8.5". It would bolt all the way to the top of the state rankings and 15th nationally. It is also the best mark in the country for a freshman. And it was not a fluke either as her coaches figured she was ready to top the 38-foot mark out of the gate. It so happens that Dominique Johnson crashed the gate to the party so soon.