Clayton State University Athletics

Clayton State’s Johnson Earns All-American Honors With Program Best Finish in High Jump at NCAA Division II National Championships

KINGSVILLE, Texas – Clayton State senior Destiny Johnson (New Iberia, La.) made program history and continued a legacy of All-Americans as she delivered the Lakers highest ever finish in the high jump at the 2019 NCAA Division II Women's Track & Field National Championships on Friday, May 24.
 
Johnson earned her way to a spot in the championships with a personal best mark of 1.72-meters in her final regular season opportunity and she'd secure the ninth All-American honor in women's track & field's history much the same way.
 
After clearing the opening height of 1.64-meters on her second attempt, it would be a nail biter as the height of 1.69-meters took out eight of the remaining 20 competitors. As it was, it took Johnson all three attempts to master it and advance.
 
What faced her next was something she had never before cleared – a height of 1.73-meters and on the biggest stage. Once again the field narrowed as some of the best high jumpers in NCAA Division II couldn't clear the mark. That would not be the case for the most decorated high jumper in Clayton State history as she got over the bar on her third attempt.
 
When the dust settled, she would be one of just four individuals to accomplish that feat – the four that would vie for a national championship. None of them, including eventual national champion and Tiffin freshman Marisa Gwinner, would go over the bar again and Johnson would earn an impressive 4-of-22 finish.
 
That stunning, clutch performance has placed Destiny Johnson in the annals of Clayton State Athletics and Laker track & field history. She delivers the 75^th All-American honor in school history, and first "on-field" award since Jessica Matthews did so in the triple jump in 2016, while continuing the legacy of high jumpers earning All-American marks.
 
Johnson joins Kim Larry (5^th in 2008) and Shannon Smith (7^th in 2013) as not only the only high jumpers to make the championships for Clayton State, but ones who also earned All-American honors. She has joined that club and is now the highest finisher in that event in program history.
 
Moreover, her fourth place finish ties for the second best in outdoor history, men's or women's, behind Hall of Famer Allison Kreutzer's third place finish in the 10,000-meters and fourth place outing in the 5,000-meters at the 2007 Championships. Looking at men's and women's and indoor and outdoor competition, it ties for the fourth best all-time.
 
In addition to Kreutzer, Ayrton Azcue delivered a runner-up finish in the 800-meters in indoor in 2013, Matthews finished 3-of-17 in the triple jump in indoor in 2016, Ahmad Rolle was fourth in the triple jump (2007-08, Indoor) and Carlos Guyton was fourth in the 400-meters (2004-05, Indoor).
 
In terms of becoming just the ninth All-American in the women's program, Johnson joins Joni Guffey (2002, Outdoor – 1,500m), Kreutzer (2007, Outdoor – 5,000m, 10,000m), Angela Cobb (2007, Outdoor – 10,000m), Larry (2008, Outdoor – High Jump), Shannon Smith (2013, Outdoor – High Jump), Matthews (2016, Indoor and Outdoor – Triple Jump).
 
"Destiny has been a gamer all season and was no different today!" said head track & field coach Mike Mead. "She had some issues in warm-up but delivered when she needed to. She was in the hunt for the title, and considering she was tied for 12^th entering the competition, that is impressive. I'm very proud of her!"
 
CLAYTON STATE WOMEN'S COMPETITORS (1)
Destiny Johnson – High Jump (4-of-22, 1.73m)#
#Indicates NCAA Division II All-American