“Cody Johnston convincingly emerged as the nation’s premier boys prep vaulter this spring. In winning the New Balance Nationals meet, he defeated the country’s top-ranked pole vaulter at the time, head-to-head. Johnston cleared 17 feet or higher a remarkable six times this season—twice as many as the nation’s second-most consistent competitor.”

Rich Gonzalez

editor of PrepCalTrack.com

Athletic Excellence

The 6-foot, 150-pound senior won the pole vault at the state meet with clearances of 17 feet even, one of six times he surpassed the 17-foot threshold this past season. Johnston also won his first national championship by vaulting 16 feet, 8.75 inches at Nike Outdoor Nationals in winning his first outdoor title. His personal-best clearance of 17-6 at the state regional meet was the nation’s No. 3 height for a boys prep competitor in 2023 and ranked among the top 35 in U.S. prep history. He also won a pair of indoor national championships in 2023, capturing the title at Nike Indoor Nationals and Adidas Track Nationals.

Academic Achievement

Johnston has maintained a weighted 4.06 GPA in the classroom. He has signed a National Letter of Intent to compete on an athletic scholarship at the University of Illinois this fall.

Exemplary Character

Johnston has volunteered locally by serving food to the elderly at a community center.