MARION, Ind. – Christopher Johnson represented Stillman College at the NAIA Men's Outdoor Track & Field National Championships for the second consecutive season on Friday, closing out one of the most dominant individual campaigns in program history. Johnson earned a bevy of honors this spring, including five HBCU Athletic Conference Field Athlete of the Week awards, an NAIA Field Athlete of the Week honor, and won two HBCUAC conference titles to be named the 2025 HBCUAC Championship's Most Valuable Field Athlete.
"Chris didn't just compete for us. He set the tone, and he raised the standard," Head Coach
Ashley Curry said. "I am forever grateful for his hard work and dedication. This is not the end, but a continuation of his true legacy."
The 2025 HBCUAC Preseason Athlete of the Year, Johnson set the tone from the very first meet of the year, as he broke the meet record at the UWA Invitational, broke his personal discus record, and qualified for the NAIA Nationals all at once. He went on to break the Stillman school record a week later, coming away with a new season-best mark of 54.78 meters (179' 9") at the Falcon Classic Multi, a mark that would stand as top-three in the nation for the duration of the season.
Johnson, a native of Meridian, Miss., cleared 50 meters five times in seven meets in the discus, while adding five event wins in the shot put throughout the season. He took home the HBCUAC title in both events in mid-April, including a mark of 15.17 meters (49' 9 ¼") in the shot put, good enough for second in Stillman history and tops in the program's NAIA era. He turned in a PR in the hammer the same weekend, as his toss of 37.97 meters (124' 7") landed him in fifth place and added to Stillman's team point total.
He entered this year's NAIA Championships as the No. 3 overall seed out of 30 qualifiers after entering in the Top 10 last year.
On Friday evening, Johnson was hoping to dominate with a throw over 50 meters. However, Johnson scratched on each of his three attempts at the championships. The first one seeing his toss land outside the sector and the latter two with him landing just outside the ring. Each throw was estimated between 53 and 54 meters. Had they counted, Johnson likely would have ended the day as an NAIA All-American and the top competitor entering the finals.
Instead, St. Xavier senior Ayobami Arokoyo walked way with the NAIA National Championship with a distance of 54.37m, followed by Montana Tech junior Cade VanVleet at 53.10m. Only seven of the Top 8 finished above 50 meters. (
Click here for results).
While the national result did not go as planned, Curry is proud of the season Johnson put together.
"It was a bittersweet moment for Chris after the 2024 NAIA results. Rather than becoming complacent with pity, he grew even more committed, disciplined, and dedicated. Every day, he reminded himself that failure was not an option. He grinned with a sense of purpose in the weight room and in the ring. He was determined to come back even stronger and better," Curry said. "He will always be my All-American and record holder. This is not the end, just a continuation of his true legacy."
Earlier this month, Johnson graduated magna cum laude from Stillman College with a Bachelor of Science in Human Performance. While his Stillman career has come to a close, he hopes to continue to compete. Johnson is currently exploring options to continue his college career as a graduate student with a year of eligibility remaining or pursue professional opportunities.
