Greene County High School has a great tradition in hurdling events and girls’ track and field junior Eme Johnson has been a part of that tradition. Johnson was on the 10 flight shuttle hurdle relay that placed fifth in the Class 3A portion of the 2013 state coed meet at Drake Stadium in Des Moines. She was also an individual state qualifier in 2012 in the 400 meter low hurdles. Injuries were a factor in not qualifying in that event last year, but she told Raccoon Valley Radio she feels good and has high hopes for herself and her team in 2014. “I think we’ll have a fairly good team. Our sprinters and hurdlers should be good. We have Allison (Higgins) back in the distance events, and I think our throwers and jumpers will do well.”

She plans on being in all three hurdling events (100, 400, shuttle hurdle relay), and possibly the 4 x 400 meter relay. Johnson said Drake Relays qualification is a goal, along with getting events to the state meet. “Drake Relays qualification is definitely a goal. I do think we have a good enough hurdle team that we could make it. We were very close last year.” She wants to get back to state as an individual hurdler as well and stated breaking the school record in the 400 meter hurdles is another goal.

The Rams open the indoor portion of the season in Ames at the ISU high school meet on March 17. The outdoor season is scheduled to begin on March 31 in Jefferson at Linduska Field for the Rams’ Early Bird Meet.