Carroll’s first couple of running have one more high school go-around to navigate.
Charger seniors James Martin and Brianna Johnson, who have been dating since last summer, have a lot more in common than just each other. The two distance aces are about as good as it gets around this area, just one on the boys side and one on the girls side.
And this weekend’s boys and girls state meets at Indiana University will mark the end of their eras at Carroll.
“It’s kind of hard to get emotional about a race because you don’t want it to affect you but still just knowing this will be my last race wearing a Carroll uniform, it makes me feel happy and kind of sad that I am leaving,” said Martin, who is headed to Butler for his college career. “But it makes me want to go that extra mile just so I will end high school with a fantastic race.”
The two burst onto the scene as freshmen and began talking about dating 2 1/2 years ago. The couple-hood became official late in the summer.
“For James and I to do well this weekend would be the topping to a fantastic season,” said Johnson, who will venture back to Bloomington for her post-prep career at IU. “I know he has done really well and set a few records as with myself too. James has put in a lot of time, and his dedication shows how passionate he is about running.”
The two have been burning up the track for four years, but never as much as this year. Martin won the 3,200 in the sectional and regional, while setting a sectional record at North Side in the 3,200 in 9:09.56. Johnson won titles in the 1,600 and 3,200 at the sectional and regional.
“Sometimes in a relationship with athletes, one will outshine the other person,” Martin said of his relationship with Johnson.
“But I think we have been equally successful. It has almost helped because we understand each other. Sometimes if you don’t have a boyfriend or girlfriend in the sport, they may not understand (the sacrifices).”
Another commonality is coming close at the state track meet, providing some motivation to run fast in their finales. Johnson finished second in the 3,200 at last year’s state meet to then-senior teammates Kaylee McClanahan, while Martin was runner-up in 2009 in the same race on the boys side.
“Well, last year taught me a lot of things about racing at big meets,” Johnson said. “This year, I am definitely more prepared for the intensity that even the two-mile brings.
“There are a lot of really talented girls in the field, and the race has the potential to be smoking fast. I think a lot of the girls will be looking for PRs so the beginning part of the race is going to be fast.”
The motivation still fuels Martin, who has also finished second and third at the state cross country meet.
“Running well early in my high school career, but always seeming to have someone better than you keeps you hungry because you can’t really get complacent you are not always winning,” Martin said. “The motivation is both getting ready for next year and also personal because I feel like I have more left to give.”
