Johnson duo named Indoor All-Americans

In what should go down as no surprise, a pair of standout shot put stars for your California Golden Bears were named All-Americans this past week. Joshua Johnson and McKay Johnson were recognized by the NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field All-American team, selected by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

McKay was selected for the third consecutive year in the shot put, as he had the third-best mark in the nation this season before the coronavirus shut down the national championships. His long shot put of 20.63 meters broke his own indoor school record that he set a year ago.

He won the MPSF title on February 29 and won his other events he entered as well. He’s been a First-Team All-American in each of the past three seasons for his efforts.

Joshua Johnson won his first All-American honor this season as he held the school’s second-best shot put with a throw of 19.60 meters, just behind McKay’s from this year.

He took second place at the MPSF Championships as the Bears took home both the top two spots at the event. He won the Don Kirby Elite Invitational this season as well, his first indoor win of his career, with a throw of 19.44 meters.

The coronavirus ultimately shut down the season prematurely and as such, has changed the way the All-Americans have been announced, as well as the criteria.

The NCAA Division I Track & Field Executive Committee adopted the following criteria for awarding All-America honors:

Based on the post-medical scratches startlist for the national championships posted on Wednesday, March 11 at 9:24 p.m., local, the following will be recognized as All-America for the 2020 indoor track & field season:

Individual events: ALL student-athletes listed on the startlist for the anticipated event.

Relay events: The four student-athletes per anticipated relay who produced the performance that was declared and accepted into their event. Those listed as alternates will not be recognized.

There will not be a distinction of “first-team”, “second-team”, or “honorable mention” to these recognitions.

Regardless of the changes to the All-American status, it’s still a more-than-worthy set of performances by both Johnsons.

Congratulations, Joshua & McKay!