East St. Louis track star won’t venture far to continue outstanding career in college
Due to the cancellation of the IHSA spring sports season because of the coronavirus pandemic, the East St. Louis Flyers didn’t have the opportunity to defend their Class 2A state track and field title in 2020.
And track and field fans across the state didn’t have the opportunity to watch Flyers senior Willie Johnson dominate in the 400 meters.
The 2019 Class 2A 400-meter state champion and one of the top 400-meter high school athletes in the nation, Johnson officially moved on to the next stage of his track and academic career June 20 when he signed a scholarship offer to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale beginning later this summer.
“It was a very difficult decision. At first, I’m like ‘do I want to go to this school or that one and do I want to go far away to school or do I want to stay close to home,’” Johnson said. “It was tough. But I liked the school and the coaches really wanted me to go there. It’s a place where I think I’ll be able to succeed.
“But yes, being able run at at the NCAA Division I level close to home was a factor. I am very, very close to my family.”
Johnson has been one of the state’s top 400-meter runners since his freshman year as a Flyer. He was a member of the East St. Louis state championship 1,600-meter relay team in 2017 when the Flyers placed second behind Edwardsville in the Class 3A state finals.
Two years later, Johnson was back on the victory platform three times. He was once again a member of the state championship 1,600-meter relay team and won the 400-meter state championship in 47.6 seconds while helping the Flyers put on one of the top performances in state history.
In capturing the Class 2A State crown, East St. Louis finished with 84 points, 42 more than second place Marengo.
But in 2020, and amid its indoor season, the Flyers hopes of defending the Class 2A outdoor title never got off the ground because of COVID-19.
“It was very disappointing because we had a lot of guys back and were looking to be even better than last year,” Johnson said. “But it was something we had no control over.”
Flyers coach thrilled for standout
East St. Louis track coach Barry Malloyd said, while SIUC is getting a national-caliber athlete, it is also adding a world-class young man.
“Willie Johnson has been an invaluable piece to the Flyers track success puzzle. His resilience, determination and work ethic is unmatched. His desire to be the very best is his greatest asset,” Malloyd said.
“His athletic potential has just begun to be discovered. However, Willie has accomplished more in two years than many will accomplish in a lifetime. SIU-Carbondale was a blessing in our own back yard. As a national recruit this was a hard decision for Willie to make. He knows what’s at stake for his athletic future and Carbondale has everything he needs to succeed.”
Furthermore, the Terriers landed an athlete with loads of national experience.
Johnson, whose best time in the 400 meters is 47.3 seconds, was the AAU Junior Olympics national champion in the 400 meters in 2018. Additionally, a year ago, he captured the New Balance National Indoors championship and was a medalist in the United States vs. Cuba international meet, both in the 400 meters.
Johnson’s future as a Saluki
Johnson said he will run the 400 and 800 meters at SIU-Carbondale. He will also compete on relay teams.
“I’m not sure what I will major in. Maybe something in business,” Johnson said. “I know I have to get stronger and have a lot of work to do. But this (SIU-Carbondale) is a place where I will have the coaches’ support and a place where I can succeed.
“It’s a place where I can reach my goals.”
