Drew’s Shatara Johnson caps off dominant season with individual state title By Luke Strickland
RIVERDALE — Drew High School got to celebrate a state track and field champion at the conclusion of the 2017 season.
Sophomore Shatara Johnson took home first place in the Class AAAAAA long jump with a distance of 19 feet, 6.75 inches. Johnson bested second-place finisher, Mays’ Chloe Robinson, by almost six inches.
Johnson said she set a goal with her coaches before the season, and surpassed those expectations with a first-place finish.
“My goal this year was to place within the top three at state,” she said. “I made sure I practiced hard and showed improvements throughout this track season.”
Johnson’s state title capped off a dominant season. She led the Lady Titans to a second-place team finish at the Region 4-AAAAAA championships, claiming individual region titles in the long jump and the 400-meter dash. She then won both of those events at sectionals, while also qualifying for state as part of the 4×400-meter relay team.
In addition to region and state titles, Johnson won Clayton County championships in the 400-meter and long jump.
“I was very excited and happy that I had accomplished my goal for this year,” Johnson said regarding her achievements this season.
Johnson was also an important member of Drew’s girls basketball team this season.