* A photo of Kyree Johnson competing in 2017
Photo Credit: MileSplit New York
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Back in 2017, one team from New York was taking the sprinting community by storm.
Huntington High School would go on to break a 40-year-old 4x400m state outdoor record that year, with four very strong legs.
One of those anchor points was Kyree Johnson, who split 47.17 to help break that mark.
Johnson was also a New York state champ in the 400m over his junior and senior seasons, as well as a proficient long jumper (23-9) and a 55m podium finisher during the indoor season. He went on to Texas A&M University, where he joined his fellow relay teammate Infinite Tucker.
This year, however, Johnson's life was put at risk after he suffered a brain aneurysm triggered by an undiagnosed condition known as arteriovenous malformation (AVM).
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Johnson to help with medical bills and support his family (wife and a son).
Collections will also be accepted at the Section 11 State Qualifier.
From The Suffolk County Hall of Fame Induction
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KYREE JOHNSON - HUNTINGTON HS (2017)
Hall of Fame Class of 2022
Most years, coaches are left to debate whether the best short sprinter (55m, 100m) or long sprinter (200m,400m) is worthy of the most outstanding sprinter award.
Very rarely does someone make it easy.
Johnson, however, was one of those athletes.
As a junior, he placed second at the New York State Indoor Championships by a mere a hundredth of a second in the 55m dash.
Outdoors. he demonstrated his ability by winning the 400m dash in both his junior and senior years. In addition to his sprinting ability, Johnson was also one of the best long jumpers in the state.
During his senior year he won the Division 1 Championship with a jump of 23 feet, 6.25 inches.
Throw in his talent to run exceptional relay legs on numerous state and national championship teams (3-New York State & 2- National 4x400m teams) and you had an athlete that every coach would love to have on their team.
2015 Indoor
Section XI County Championships - 1st Place 55mD (6.61) & 300mD (36.22)
Section XI State Qualifier Meet - 3rd Place 55mD (6.61)
2015 Outdoor
Section XI State Qualifier Meet - 2nd Place 400m (48.50)
New York State Division 1 Championships - 5th Place (48.62)
New York State Federation Championships - 3rd Place (49.29)
2016 Indoor
Molloy Stanner Games Champion - 300mD (34.22)
Section XI State Qualifier Champion - 55mD (6.45) & Long Jump (23-04.50)
Long Island Elite Meet Champion - 55mD (6.44)
New York State Federation Meet - 2nd Place 55mD (6.40)
2016 Outdoor
Section XI State Qualifier Champion - 400mD (47.78)
New York State & Federation Champion - 400mD (47.94)
New Balance Nationals - Emerging Elite Champion 400mD (47.75)
2017 Indoor
Ocean Breeze Holiday Festival Champion - 400m (48.09)
Molloy Stanner Games Champion - 300mD (33.85)
Section XI State Qualifier Champion - 55mD (6.41) & 300m (34.80)
2017 Outdoor
Glenn D Loucks Games Champion - Long Jump (23-09.00), 2nd Place 200mD (21.78)
Section XI Division Champion - 200mD (21.71), 400m (48.26), Long Jump (22-11.25)
Section XI State Qualifier Champion - 400mD (46.68) & Long Jump (23-05.50)
New York Federation Champion - 400mD (46.56), Division 1 Champion Long Jump (23-06.25)
New Balance National Championships - 4th Place 400mD (47.02)
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Johnson joined his teammate Infinite Tucker at Texas A&M University.
While there, he continued his winning ways for the Aggies.
Highlights include an outdoor 200m in 21.43 and a 400m best of45.92. Indoors, he ran 46.93 in the 400m. In 2018, he was a member of an All-American 4x400m Relay
In 2019, that 4x400 won national championship (2:59.05 - Split 45.25).