Dorsey junior Ashton Johnson is a multisport athlete, helping the Dons 4x400m relay team reach the CIF State Championship. Johnson also competes in baseball and soccer.
While baseball and track and field season goes on at the same time, Johnson makes time to compete for both.
“I usually do one day of track and then one day baseball,” Johnson said. “The games don’t usually fall on track meet day, so I just go to the track meets on Fridays and Thursdays.”
Johnson helped Dorsey win the City Section Championship in the 4x400m relay. He also competes in sprints and hurdling events. Johnson became a leader on the relay team.
Related Stories
Former NFL All-Pro Hosts Free Football Camp
Surf Documentary Honored at Uninterrupted Film Festival
“It’s helped me to be understanding,” Johnson said. “Our coach can’t be on the field with us. When we’re on the field, I make sure the drills are right, make sure everyone’s handoffs are right.”
Baseball was the sport Johnson competed in first; the World Cup inspired him to play soccer. Johnson did not compete in track and field until his sophomore season.
A highlight with the Dons baseball team is when he hit a home run last season against King/Drew.
“That was my first home run out of the park,” Johnson said. “I didn’t even know I hit a home run, I just swung, I was just lightly swinging at it.”
Johnson had a 4.0 GPA last year, his favorite class is English. Perseverance and time management are helpful characteristics for student athletes, according to Johnson.
“I usually don’t stress myself that much about the work that I have to do because I know I’ll get it done and I know the teachers trust me,” Johnson said. “When I go to school, at lunch and nutrition, I do my work.”
With the soccer team at Dorsey, he has been enjoying their successes on and off the field.
“Last year, we went to the playoffs, that was exciting,” Johnson said. “For this year I would say the overall bond we had with our coach and our team in general.”
Running the 400m or the 4×400 is a tradition for the Dons. Competing in those events is a method to condition for other events.
“I don’t mind running the 4x400m because I actually enjoy it,” Johnson said. “After I run the 100m, I’m not tired.”
Johnson is a part of the Firefighting magnet at Dorsey. Outside of academics and athletics, he has experience playing the clarinet and he is a member of the Metro Fire Youth Program and Upward Bound. He has also volunteered at the African American Firefighter Museum.
“It was something that one of our mentors here provided for us,” Johnson said. “It was a good experience for me to see all the artifacts.”
