Losing A Race Six Years Ago Sparked Kerragan Johnson’s Journey To The World Championships

Kerragan Johnson still remembers that day, back in sixth grade.

“It was field day,” she recounted, “and they had a 75-yard dash. I ran it against my childhood friend, and I lost. That was the summer when I knew I wanted to get faster.”

In a way, that loss flipped a switch inside Johnson, who indeed began to get faster that summer; she hasn’t looked back since.

“I did not like losing,” she said. “I still don’t. I was like, ‘Wow, I need to get faster.’ So, I started running summer track. That’s how this all got started.”

That single race didn’t just sting. It recalibrated Johnson’s sense of herself. Six years later, that sixth grader is a rising star in high school track as a senior at Martin High School in Arlington, Texas. She also competed in the World Para Athletics Championships this past fall in New Delhi.

What a difference six years can make.

“I’ve always been very athletic,” said the 18-year-old Johnson, who grew up playing soccer, basketball and volleyball among other sports. 

Still, Johnson didn’t take track seriously until seventh or eighth grade. Even as recently as last summer, she admits that she “wasn’t serious about Para” at first. But as she focused on preparing for the USA Track & Field Outdoor and Para National Championships last summer, she was able to bring her times down. She took her renewed confidence to Eugene, Oregon, where she finished second in the women’s 400-meter and third in the 200-meter, both in the T47 classification. 

With that performance, she qualified for the world championships. She traveled to India for that competition in September and placed sixth and eighth in the 200 and 400, respectively.

“Those aren’t the best numbers,” Johnson said, “but for my first time being on the U.S. Para team in general and my first time being a Para athlete, I think I did pretty great. But I know I could do a lot better.”

Johnson competes in the T47 classification because of a limb difference that she was born with. Due to a circulation issue in the womb, doctors removed Johnson’s right hand and part of her arm. While that might not seem like a hindrance on the track, it has created its share of challenges.

Balance can be an issue for Johnson, who also noted that she must pay careful attention to her starts. She also mentioned weightlifting and relays as instances where she has to make certain adjustments.

Of course, that’s all part of Johnson’s routine these days. Her training includes about two hours of practice each day after high school. For now, she’s focused on pushing herself to be the best version she can be.

Talent may have opened doors, but Johnson believes her edge comes from somewhere else entirely.

“I have a lot of heart,” Johnson said. “You have to have that inner strength.”

As you may have guessed, Johnson also is highly competitive. Thus, she often recites three important words to herself on the track: Just have fun.

“I can be hard on myself,” she said, “so that’s a great reminder for me.”

Johnson certainly had plenty of fun competing at the highest levels of the sport. For someone who lost a race to a friend less than six years ago, the journey to this point has been unexpected and indescribable.  

“It was really surreal,” Johnson said, thinking back to the world championships. “Even when I was in Eugene (Oregon), in the fitting room, trying on the USA apparel, I was like, ‘There’s no way I’m actually representing my country.’ It’s an amazing feeling.”

Johnson has her heart set on the Paralympic Games Los Angeles 2028. The dream of competing in LA while thousands cheer for her is, at this point, a constant obsession. 

“I think about it every day,” Johnson said. “Like, every day. I’m super excited for it. That’s the goal. I want to be on the track at the finals in LA in ‘28.”

However, as Johnson takes aim at her Paralympic dreams, there is one important distinction that needs to be made.

Johnson is happy to accept people’s support as she strives for her goals, but she doesn’t want their sympathy. 

“A lot of people look at me and they’re like, ‘Aww poor girl,’” Johnson said. “But I’ve always been really independent. I’ve never looked at myself like, ‘Oh, this is such a disability.’ I have a lot of confidence in my abilities, in who I am as a person. I don’t look at my disability as hindering me.”

That mindset defines how Johnson approaches both her sport and her life.

“I see it as a power,” she said. “It got me to where I am now.”

Drew Silverman is a freelance contributor to usatf.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.