EW's Natasha Johnson signs with Winston-Salem State

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 6, 2016 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

Natasha Johnson still has plenty of work to do for the remainder of the outdoor track season.

She easily cleared one hurdle Thursday afternoon. The Eastern Wayne senior signed a national letter-of-intent to run indoor and outdoor track next year at Winston-Salem State University.

Johnson teared up as she scribbled her name onto several blank lines.

That wasn't the only emotional moment.

EW principal Lee Johnson opened a black box.

"My ring," said Natasha, who emerged as the indoor 55-meter state 3-A champion this past February.

She pulled it out and slipped it onto her finger.

The surprise occurred less than 24 hours after Johnson claimed the 100- and 200-meter titles in the season-ending Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference track meet on Wednesday.

Three in-state schools -- N.C. State, Campbell and UNC Wilmington -- courted Johnson after the indoor season concluded. But, ironically, she selected the school where her head coach, Tavares Oates, completed his football career after a stint at Western Carolina University.

"When I first visited them, they said this isn't just a team, we're family," Johnson said. "That stood out to me the most. She (WSSU coach Inez Turner) said we'll push you. They showed me some of their achievements that they had on the wall and that stood out to me as well.

"(Turner) said, 'I think this is best for you. I can help you get better. I'm going to push you.' Right then and there, I knew 'this is it.'"

Johnson initially appeared on recruiters' scout sheets as a jumper. She excelled in the long jump. A year ago, she won the eastern 3-A regional championship and placed fourth in the N.C. High School Athletic Association state championships.

In 2014, Johnson finished runner-up in the regional and placed ninth overall in the state. She honestly felt that would be her ticket to the next level.

Then Oates came along.

The first thing he noticed was the power in Johnson's legs. He coaxed her into running sprint events and the plan turned the out-spoken Johnson into a state-title contender. The two worked on her start from the blocks and Oates stressed the importance of controlling the race during the first 20 meters.

"I'm her biggest critique person on everything," said Oates, who was named the Warriors' head varsity football coach on Tuesday. "Sending her (to WSSU) is the best suit for her because she's got so much potential that's now coming (out). It's going to be an eye-opener on dependability.

"Once you commit to that coach, they expect you to be part of their program and abide by their work ethic."

Turner represented Jamaica in the 1996 Olympic Games, won the 800-meter championship in the 1994 Commonwealth Games and is a two-time NCAA Division I champ in the 800 meters.

She guided the Rams to the men's and women's Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association indoor track title in 2010. Her women's team successfully defended their indoor league crown in 2011.

Johnson is aware of the task ahead.

"Oates tells me all the time that I need to squat, need to work on my legs...build up my leg strength," Johnson said. "Coach Turner has some girls who are running 11.8 (seconds) or 11.9. I know that she's going to push me harder than ever.

"I know it's going to be a lot of blood, sweat and tears."

But another hurdle that Johnson should handle.