Tyriek Streaks to Victory in
State Qualifier
Tyriek Johnson is no flash in the pan. The Huntington High School senior has enjoyed a remarkably steady career with the Blue Devils. The teenager has qualified for the state indoor track and field championships at Cornell University in two events and is determined to go out on top in the sport he loves.
Johnson streaked to victory in the 55m high hurdles at the Section XI state qualifier at Suffolk West in Brentwood last Sunday. The performance was in contrast to last year when the Huntington star suffered a hamstring injury a week before the qualifier. He struggled to finish second in a time of 7.85 seconds in what amounted to one of the grittiest efforts in Blue Devil track history.
Johnson at full-strength was simply unstoppable. "This year everyone knew we had a healthy Tyriek," said Ron Wilson, Huntington's head coach. The teenagers coasted to a first place finish in the semi-finals in a time of 7.7 seconds.
The finals' field included some of the greatest hurdlers to ever take the track at Suffolk West. The race was a blur as Johnson crossed the line uncontested with no one near him, finishing in 7.57 seconds. "He's done an outstanding job racing at Suffolk West," Wilson said. "He's only lost once in two years and that was last year when he tore his hamstring."
Johnson also qualified for the state championships in long jump with a leap of 22'1 to capture second place last Sunday. "He said he is grateful for the opportunity to be representing his school and Section XI at the state meet and is up for the challenge in doing both events," Wilson said. "Cornell is a tough venue."
The Blue Devil great is on a roll. He set a new school record last month in the 55m hurdles when he ran a race in 7.53 seconds at The Armory in Manhattan. "No one in past 20 years has run the times at Suffolk West that Johnson has run," Wilson said. "Johnson is amongst the pantheon of hurdlers that Suffolk County has ever seen. Coaches, officials, athletes, parents, love to see him perform because he is a charismatic performer. He's a kid that likes to entertain and we all know that."
In other state qualifying meet action, Huntington junior Shaheem Lewis and senior Trayvon Toney competed in shot put. Toney advanced to the finals with his best throw of the year, 48'8.75 and finished in sixth place. Lewis's best effort reached 47'10, good enough for eighth place.
Blue Devil senior Ryan Ackerman ran in the 600m dash, crossing the finish line in eighth place in 1:28.32.