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People SearchFind an individual who either played a sport or was a member of a support group. Search by last name by clicking on the first letter of the person's last name.
Ms. Clarissa Johnson
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Home Phone: -- Track & Field: Johnson overcomes injuries to shine May 13, 2005 – Bruce Brown NEW ORLEANS – Clarissa Johnson picked the right field of study. Johnson has been battling foot and ankle problems as a senior long jumper and triple jumper for Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns, so being an exercise science major is a good fit. “I’m going to graduate next semester, then I’m going to try for OT (occupational therapy) school,” Johnson said. “I know how to treat myself, that’s for sure.” The former Notre Dame High School standout is healthy enough to be a contender in both lateral jumps at this weekend’s Sun Belt Conference Track and Field Championships at Tad Gormley Stadium, but it’s been a difficult campaign. “I have inflammation in my right foot, and I’ve also had a problem with the right ankle,” Johnson said. “I haven’t really been jumping that much this season. I’ve just competed in three or four meets. “The foot hurts when I plant off the board, or when I accelerate from a jog to a sprint. Any little thing. I’ve been limping the whole time. “I’ve had ankle injuries before, but this is the worst. I walk differently, so that affects everything else.” Because of her physical problems and her class schedule, Johnson has been largely on her own practice schedule as a senior. But UL coach Lance Veazey knows he can count on her drive. “I never have to doubt Clarissa,” Veazey said. “I know she’s going to be taking care of her business, and I know she’s going to give her best this weekend.” Johnson has a season-best triple jump of 41 feet, well within range of Sun Belt leader Sandra Anane of New Mexico State (41-7) and Darina Semenova of Arkansas State (41-4). That event will be held at 6 p.m. on Sunday. In Saturday’s 3 p.m. long jump, Johnson’s 19-1 compares favorably with Florida International’s Elisa Dieme-Erlich (19-9), NMSU’s Anane (19-8.75), Middle Tennessee’s Stephanie Tamgho (19-6.25) and ASU’s Dominique Dawson (19-4.75). “I’m taking about the same approach for the conference meet as I have for every other year,” Johnson said. “If I jump 19-2 in the long jump, I should make the finals. “When I first started jumping, I liked the long jump better. But this year I’m stronger in the triple jump. I know if I can hold off the pain, I can do well.” That outlook is a by-product of the mental toughness Johnson has needed in 2005. “This year I’ve been more focused,” Johnson said. “With the injuries, I’ve had to change my train of thought. I’m mentally stronger than I’ve been in any other year.” Even when the Cajuns didn’t have a home and had to train at Lafayette High, Johnson kept focused. “It really didn’t matter to me,” said Johnson, who along with her teammates waited half a season to train and compete on the newly-refurbished Cajun Track. “I needed to get stronger anyway. I would bound, or do sprints. It didn’t matter to me where I trained. “Sometimes you can lose your mental edge. You get frustrated or burnt out. I redshirted last year, and I needed a break. I’ve come back this year stronger than ever. This is my last year. I have nothing to lose.” It doesn’t seem that long ago that Johnson was standing on the victory stand at the LHSAA State Meet at LSU during her stellar career at Notre Dame, but she really is one weekend away from her final collegiate competition. “It has gone by fast,” Johnson said. “I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve seen people I competed against in high school, met new people and gone to new places. “It’s been fun to be here with people who signed with me. Kim Octave visited the same weekend I did, and she and I have been through our ups and downs here. This year we’ve talked to each other and we pump each other up.” Even though the Sun Belt meet represents a final collegiate event, and even with the 2005 campaign being one of sometimes painful work, it will be hard for Johnson to quit competition. “I’m definitely going to keep training,” Johnson said. “I’m going to try out jumping after college. I know I can do better.” Especially if she’s fully healthy. 2005 Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships Dates: Today-Sunday Site: Tad Gormley Stadium, New Orleans Tickets: $7 adults, $4 18-under. Students of Sun Belt Conference schools showing school ID admitted free. Results: Live meet results and schedule on the internet at http://www.deltatiming.com/events/2005/sunbeltout/index/htm. TODAY’S SCHEDULE FIELD EVENT FINALS 2 p.m. – Women’s Discus 4:30 p.m. – Men’s Discus MULTI-EVENTS Decathlon Day One 9:30 a.m. – 100, Long Jump, Shot Put, High Jump, 400 Heptathlon Day One 10 a.m. – 100 Hurdles, High Jump, Shot Put, 200 RUNNING EVENTS 9 p.m. – Men’s 10,000 Final 9:45 p.m. – Women’s 10,000 Final Clarissa Johnson glance Sun Belt Conference Results INDOORS 2001 – 4th, Long Jump, 18-2.75; 4th, Triple Jump, 37-9.5. 2002 – 19-5.25 Long Jump. 2003 – 7th, Long Jump, 18-3.25. 2004 – 14th, Long Jump, 18-3.25. 2005 – Did not compete. OUTDOORS 2001 – 1st, Long Jump, 20-1.5; 4th, Triple Jump, 39-0.5. 2002 – 4th, Long Jump, 19-8. 2003 – 2nd, Long Jump, 19-6.25; 5th, Triple Jump, 39-2.5. 2004 – Redshirt 2005 – 19-1 Long Jump, 41-0 Triple Jump entering Sun Belt meet. Originally published May 13, 2005
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