Josh Johnson was just the latest Cal thrower to excel at the Pac-12 meet. Photo by Cierra Hitner
Cal thrower Josh Johnson hadn’t run a victory lap in a while but finished his big day with one after winning the men’s Pac-12 shot put title with a personal best throw of 65 feet, 5 1/2 inches.
Johnson added 17 inches to his previous PR, which he set at this year’s Aztec Invitational, and finished more than two feet ahead of the runner-up, UCLA’s Jacob Wilson.
After running his victory lap, Johnson said he was “feeling tired,” adding, “Man, that lap was crazy.”
Johnson’s upset over favored Turner Washington win is in line with Cal dominating the throwing events. The women’s team scored 21 points Friday in hammer throw, and the men’s team scored 20 points Saturday in shot put, with three of their throwers finishing in the top five.
“It’s honestly the best group in the country, I’m not gonna lie,” Johnson said. “It’s just an amazing environment to train in. They push me every day to be the best that I can be.”
Johnson dominated the field from the beginning with his first throw going for 63-5 1/2. He hit his PR on the next throw.
Wilson’s second attempt was also his longest, a throw of 63-3 1/4.
“It’s really emotional for me to go out there, my very last year, and put out a second-place throw,” Wilson said.
Washington, the reigning NCAA indoor and outdoor shot put champion, finished fourth after fouling on four of his six throws and struggling to throw over 60 feet.
Cal’s strong throwing performances have helped the Bears finish day two of the Pac-12 Championships in good standing. The women’s team is in fifth place and the men’s team is in third place.
Johnson will now shift his focus to the NCAA West Prelims, after which he plans to return to Eugene for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
