Johnson gets 2nd Lindenwood H.O.F. honour

Stephon Johnson was a sprinter and long jumper for the Missouri-based university.

Former Cayman Islands athlete Stephon Johnson knows what it’s like to be immortalised by his alma mater for outstanding performance in track and field, now he’s savouring in a second nod from Lindenwood University for his accomplishments on the team.

Johnson and other members of the Lions 2005 track and field team have been announced as being among this year’s inductees into the Missouri-based university’s Sports Hall of Fame.

Johnson collects his earlier award at an induction ceremony in 2011.

“Your team was selected for this prestigious honor by a committee of Lindenwood administrators, coaches and faculty. Lindenwood has a proud history of athletic excellence and your overall contributions to our program elevated your team to the very top of the list of many worthy candidates,” stated a letter from the university’s Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Brad Wachler.

The 2005 Lindenwood Lions men’s track and field team won the Heart of America Conference (HAAC) indoor and outdoor championships, and also won the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Indoor National Championships. At the indoor national meet, the Lions scored 100.25 points, 18.25 more than the runner-up program. The outdoor team finished third nationally, and the 4×100 team won a NAIA championship.

“It feels really good because I’m not too sure many Caymanians have been inducted into the hall of fame at their university or wherever. It is a great privilege and it feels really good,” said Johnson, who competed in the 100m, 200m, 4x400m, and long jump for the Lions.

Johnson and the other members of the school’s 2003 team were also inducted into the university’s sports hall of fame in 2011.

“I wanted to do track the time as a kid, so getting a partial scholarship at first from the university and then a government scholarship, it’s known that I’ve served my country well. Even as a collegiate athlete, I know that I represented the Cayman Islands to the best of my ability,” the 34-year-old told CaymanSportsBuzz.com.

He also offered advice to other student athletes from the Cayman Islands. “Have pride for your country, work hard and do your best. The more pride we can build up is more respect we have for ourselves and our country.”

The Hall of Fame ceremony will take place on 30 September in St Charles, Missouri.

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