Peoria's Malik Johnson Claims State Championship at IHSA Track and Field Finals

CHARLESTON — Malik Johnson made a remarkable leap at the IHSA boys state track and field finals on Saturday, May 30, securing a state championship in the triple jump. The Peoria High School senior achieved a distance of 48 feet, 4.5 inches, marking the longest triple jump in Illinois this season and ranking among the top 80 nationally.

Overwhelmed with joy, Johnson exclaimed, "I can’t believe it. It’s even better than I thought it could be. My mom told me I could do this. She told me." His mother, LaToya, cheered him on from the stands, witnessing the culmination of her son's dedication. Although Malik initially pursued basketball, LaToya encouraged him to return to track, a decision he credits with his current success. "I did it, just got back into it, and now here I am," he said.

Johnson also competed in the long jump, finishing in 20th place, while his teammate, senior Cam Gunn, placed ninth in the high jump with a height of 6 feet, 6 inches. For both athletes, this event represented the end of their high school journeys and the beginning of their collegiate careers, as they prepare to join Eastern Illinois University's track and field team next season.

The Peoria area witnessed an impressive display of talent, with six state championships claimed within just a few hours during the meet. At 1:55 p.m., Illini Central's Coriell Green, a junior, won the class 1A 800 meters with a time of 1:51.83, expressing his happiness at tying his personal record. Meanwhile, Metamora's Zach Born triumphed in a close class 2A 800 race against IVC's Aiden Duhs, saying, "I just reeled him in... broke him at probably the last 25 meters and got the job done."

Washington junior Ben Gorsage delivered an exceptional performance in the class 3A 800, clocking in at 1:49.88, the fastest time in Illinois this season and 17th nationally. Metamora's Jaiduan Cranford anchored the 4x200 relay team to victory with a time of 1:27.08, while Trae Brickner from Peoria Christian claimed the Class 1A title in the 300 hurdles with a time of 37.87 seconds. Morton concluded the wave of championships by winning the 4x400 relay in 3:15.94.