Johnson's Transition to Hurdles Helping Tartans in Final Campaign

Carnegie Mellon University men's track and field graduate student Grant Johnson hadn't jumped a hurdle before walking on Carnegie Mellon's campus in the fall of 2017. Now he's ranked 17th in the nation in the 400-meter hurdles and is poised for a University Athletic Association (UAA) run with an invite to the NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships in his sights.

Johnson first joined a track and field team as a first-year high school student at New Trier in Wilmette, Illinois, as a pole vaulter and triple jumper. His desire to add running to his events list started that same year when he competed on the 4x200-meter relay team. It was then that he transitioned from vaulting to jumping and sprinting.

That earlier transition to the track paved the way for Johnson to accept the challenge put forth by Carnegie Mellon University head track and field coach Gary Aldrich to try the hurdles.

"We were short on intermediate hurdlers and felt Grant stood out as having the best feel and coordination to do the hurdles," said Aldrich. "The main reason for this was Grant's triple jump experience in high school. He wasn't foreign to landing on one foot over the other while hurdling as it is very similar to the stop phase in the triple jump."

Johnson's initial thoughts of hurdles strengthening his sprinting capabilities turned into an enjoyable challenge.

"I thought hurdles would make me a better 400-meter runner," said Johnson. "However, I quickly started liking the hurdles more than the open 400 because of its technical aspects and added difficulty."

It wasn't a fast transition to success but with a lot of work with the coaches, especially assistant coach Jose Rivera who works with the sprinters and hurdlers, Johnson's technique and times improved by the end of his sophomore year.

"Coach Rivera's experience as a hurdler himself has really helped with my own training," said Johnson. "He's also worked with some really talented athletes before his time at CMU, and his knowledge surrounding hurdle navigation has contributed a lot to my improvement."

Johnson can't leave out his teammates saying, "It's also been helpful training with the other hurdlers, as almost everyone on the team has hurdled longer. It's been awesome to have a team that's been so supportive throughout my time at CMU."

While missing a full hurdle season in 2020 due to COVID-19 with an abbreviated season in 2021 was difficult, Johnson was able to use that time to dial in on his hurdle form and become more technically sound. That work has helped him shave more than a second and a half off his time, putting him in contention for a UAA title.

As Johnson prepares for his final UAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship meet, he only has winning the team title on his mind.

"We have one of the strongest teams in school history," said Johnson, "so there's no doubt in my mind we can get it done."

Johnson is also hopeful for a strong finish in the hurdles, as he is ranked second in the UAA behind his sophomore teammate Andrew McGovern in one of the toughest races on the track.

"On top of winning a UAA Championship, it'd be awesome to sweep the 400 hurdles," added Johnson. "If we both have good days, there's no reason we can't take home the top finishes."

Johnson, who began taking graduate-level courses as a junior, earned his undergraduate degree in architecture in 2021 and will complete his master's in architecture-engineering-construction management this May. Following graduation, Johnson will begin work outside New York City as a project engineer at DPR, a technical construction company.

The 2022 UAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships begin Saturday, April 23 at Washington University in St. Louis and concluded on Sunday, April 24. Check our schedule page for results and live links provided by WashU.