ROBBINSVILLE: Johnson 12th in IM at Meet of Champions

By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
   For the fourth straight year, Taylor Johnson finished her high school swim season at the Meet of Champions.
   When the Robbinsville High School senior placed 12th in the girls 200-meter individual medley on Sunday, it marked the end to likely the best female swimmer in Ravens program history.
   ”She’s a club swimmer, but she was a die-hard high school swimmer for us,” said Robbinsville head coach Pam Owens. “She was there for us. Even if she wasn’t swimming, she was there to represent the team as a captain. She shows great leadership qualities to the team. That’s what I needed from my seniors and captains. I appreciated that.”
   Owens could also appreciate Johnson’s accomplishments in the water. Johnson finished her IM in 2:09.63 Sunday, an improvement over her preliminary swim Saturday and a significant jump for her in the high school season.
   ”I was really happy to finally break that 2:10 barrier,” said Johnson, who also finished 32nd in the 100 breaststroke at the MOC. “I’ve been going around 2:10 for two years. I think my championship meet for club, I can get back to 2:07. I was encouraged.
   ”Oddly enough, my breaststroke was pretty solid and my breaststroke as a (individual standalone) race was not. My fly split was a little off. The key to the race for me is the backstroke. I need to hone in on it a little more.”
   Johnson figures to be better rested for her big club meet with the Eastern Express club team. She took just Friday to rest for her final MOC.
   ”I remember freshman year walking in and being so intimidated,” Johnson said. “I’m not that tall. I’m like 5’2.” I was the only one from my team. I was pretty intimidated. Over the years, I’ve become more comfortable in that setting. You’re walking in without a team. It’s a little weird.”
   While this year she had to settle for using her club teammates as her team at the MOC, she has relished representing the Ravens at the Meet of Champions.
   ”That’s definitely fun,” Johnson said. “I like doing that.”
   She can’t believe that her days of doing that have ended. She went all four years, and all but her freshman year she advanced to the second day of the MOC for finals. Robbinsville will have to send a new representative next year.
   ”It’s so weird,” Johnson said. “I can’t believe I’m a senior and I’m graduating. Everyone said when I was a freshman it goes so fast. I know freshmen that read this won’t believe it, but it goes by so fast. I can’t believe it’s over.”
   The Ravens figure to miss Johnson next year. She’s been a major contributor for four years. She came in as a freshman when the program was co-ed, often lining up in the toughest events against boys.
   ”My freshman year, I thought it was so cool when I would get up on the block and stare down a boy and maybe beat him,” Johnson said. “Our Robbinsville team, we’re a fun team. I think when I look back on my Robbinsville experience, I’ll remember some of my crazy teammate and that we used to be co-ed. Robbinsville swimming is definitely an experience.
   ”It’s a growing program and I’m really happy we finally split,” she said. “At first, not everyone wanted to split. Some people didn’t want it to, but I think the split was one of the best things to happen to the program. I feel like we’re taken more seriously now.”
   Johnson will leave big shoes to fill for the rising Ravens. Owens was able to utilize her top threat in a variety of events, and she could count on her to win.
   ”She’s been a great asset to the team,” Owens said. “She’s just an all-around athlete, and she’s been a great swimmer for us, from being there from a co-ed team to the girls team. She is that person you can place anywhere and she’s willing to go anywhere, even her worst — the backstroke — which you can’t say is bad. If I asked her to step up, she would do it for me.”
   Johnson was a very good backstroker as a youngster when Owens first started coaching her. But she developed into a top medley swimmer by her high school years.
   ”I used to be such a backstroker when I was younger,” Johnson said. “For some reason, I didn’t do much backstroke and I tried to do it again when was 13 or 14, and it was like, ‘Oh, no.’
   ”I try not to pay too much attention to backstroke. If I have an opportunity to do another stroke, I’ll definitely do that over backstroke.”
   Johnson did it well enough Sunday to help push her to a season best in the IM. She is hoping to drop a couple of more seconds in her next club meet.
   ”I’ve been training my breaststroke really hard this year,” Johnson said. “I’ve been training so I can split a 35-high or 36-low. I definitely know I can improve my back. My fly and freestyle strokes could improve a little too. I’ve done them all — in separate IMs, I’ve split a good breast, a good fly, and good free, and I think I can do it all together.”
   The Ravens will be watching as Johnson continues in the pool. She will compete at the Division I college level next year, though she isn’t making her choice public yet.
   ”Like all swimmers, they go through their peaks and hurdles,” Owens said. “As they develop, they do change and their strokes change. It was neat to see her throughout the years and her club coaches change and you have to be with that right fit. The dynamics of a club team to get your full potential. I hope she’s made the right choice for college because that will help her make leaps and bounds.”
   Johnson already is looking forward to the next step, and the chance to compete at the college level.
   ”It’s awesome,” Johnson said. “The school I’m going to I didn’t think was a possibility for me because they’re really fast and such a strong team. I talked to the coach and he gave me the usual, we’re interested, but you’re not one of our top recruits. Then he called and said we have a spot on our team. I was so excited.”
   After finishing her four years with the Robbinsville program in solid fashion at the MOC, Taylor Johnson is ready for the next four years and a new chapter in her swim career.