The past five months have been a whirlwind for Plant City track runner Keyon Johnson, who transferred from a school in Pennsylvania in November. In the first sporting event of his Raiders career, the Hillsborough County Federal Division championships, Johnson took home a silver and a bronze medal.
You just became eligible to play sports for PCHS a few weeks ago, but you’ve been here longer than that. How did you pass the time?
I played basketball through the season, but I couldn’t play with the team because I wasn’t eligible. So I practiced with them, and I kept in shape during basketball season.
Your first event as a Raider was a championship meet, and you won second in the 200-meter dash and third in the 100-meter dash. How does it feel, doing so well in that situation?
It feels good. It’s a good feeling, but it’s hard to explain.
I’m also from up north, so I know how different it is down here. What’s the adjustment from Pennsylvania to Florida been like, for you?
I’m getting used to it. It’s getting better. I like it.
What brought your family down here?
My mom always liked Florida, and we have family down here, so we transferred in November.
What school were you in before Plant City?
Stroudsburg High School.
What year are you in?
Class of 2017. Junior year.
What other sports will you play, besides basketball and track?
Possibly football.
Did you play up north?
Yes, sir.
What position?
Running back.
Which sport is your favorite, out of those three?
Track.
What’s your favorite event?
The 200.
What was going through your head last week, at the championships?
I wanted to beat (Newsroom High runner) Patrick Jolly. I’ve raced him before, and he beat me, so I wanted to beat him this time.
Ed. note: Jolly won the 200m dash by 0.25 seconds.
What goals do you have, between now and the end of high school?
To win a state championship in the 200.
What’s your favorite subject in school?
Algebra.
Any college prospects?
Not sure yet.
Any idea what you want to major in?
Business or sports marketing.
Is your dream to go into business or to be a pro athlete?
I want to be a pro athlete. But if that doesn’t work out then I’d want to be an investment banker.
Who’s your favorite athlete?
Usain Bolt. I’ve been watching him for about three years.
What sport have you not played, but always wanted to?
Baseball.
If you could meet any famous person, who would it be and what would you want to do?
Kevin Hart. I just want to go to one of his shows.
A kid comes up to you and asks for advice on how to get faster on the track. What do you tell him?
Work hard, and play harder.
You get $1 billion in the bank one day. What do you buy?
A car.
What kind?
A Bugatti.
What superpower would you want to have?
Invisibility.
What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done on a track, basketball court or playing field?
I can dunk. That’s probably the coolest thing I can do.
Is there any dunk you’ve done that stands out from the rest?
Two-handed dunk.
County championships are coming up. What’s your goal?
To expand upon this finish and go where I can go.