Gatorade 2021 - 2022: Player of the Year

Girls Track & Field - Georgia

athletes playing Girls Track & Field
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GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

Kaniya Johnson

Sprints
LOWNDES HS
VALDOSTA, GEORGIA
SENIOR
Height: 5-FOOT-3
Press Release

Peak Performance

1st

Class 7A state meet -100m

1st

Class 7A state meet -200m
“Johnson was already a budding star before she moved here from South Carolina last year, but she truly put on a show for track fans here in Georgia this year. She had an immediate impact as one of the top sprinters in the state, but where she really left her mark was at the 7A state meet, where she put up top individual performances in the 100 and 200 while also helping both of her relay teams win, which propelled Lowndes County to the team title, the first in school history.”
Ryan McClay
editor of Milesplit Georgia
excellence star

Athletic Excellence

The 5-foot-3 senior sprinter swept the 100- and 200-meter dash at the Class 7A state meet this past season, sparking the Vikings to the state title as a team with two personal-best performances. The child of oft-transferred parents serving in the armed services, Johnson owns seven combined state titles in Georgia and South Carolina. At the time of her selection, her Georgia state-record clocking of 11.26 seconds in the 100 was tied for the No. 1 time among prep girls competitors in 2022 and tied for No. 23 in U.S. girls prep history. Johnson’s 200 time of 23.20 ranked No. 5 in 2022 as well as No. 35 all-time. Also the 2022 Millrose Games 300-meter indoor champion, she graduates with two state records in Georgia and another in South Carolina.

a graduation cap

Academic Achievement

Johnson has maintained a 3.39 weighted GPA in the classroom. She has signed a National Letter of Intent to compete on an athletic scholarship at Florida State University this fall.

first place ribbon

Exemplary Character

A four-year veteran of Junior ROTC and a multi-time ribbon recipient in that capacity, Johnson has volunteered on behalf of multiple community service organizations as a cadet. Due to assigned military billets, Johnson’s family has moved every 4 years, residing in Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, New York and Georgia. She was Commander of her ROTC class in New Jersey, she was also the flight sergeant of her class with the Air Force Junior ROTC program. She has donated her time coaching youth track athletes, especially as part of the Fast Forward Track Club.