Johnson earns berth into 2016 Olympic qualifier

Kaitlyn Johnson kept her dream of one day swimming in the Summer Olympics alive by making the qualifying time in the 50-meter freestyle last Sunday at the AT&T Winter Nationals held in Greensboro, N.C.
The Uniontown graduate won the 50-meter long course freestyle in 25.93 seconds. The qualifying time for the nationals and the Olympic qualifier in June 2016 is 26.19 seconds.
“My time was 26.39 seconds in the 2012 qualifier,” said Johnson.
Johnson also competed in two other races in the short course championships. The United States is one of the few nations in the world where the pools are measured in yards, not in meters. Also, the short course race meant the length of the pool was 25 yards, not the 50-meter international length.
Johnson advanced to the “B” finals of the 100-yard freestyle and won the final in 49.20 to finish ninth overall. Her time was less than a second behind the 6-7-8th place finishers in the “A” final.
She is also considering qualifying attempts in both events in the future.
“The time was .72 seconds faster than my fastest time in college,” said Johnson.
The 28-time Division II All-America at Clarion University also had a personal best in the 100-yard butterfly. Johnson finished fifth in the “C” final, placing 23rd overall with a time of 54.19 seconds, .67 seconds faster than her best time in college.
Johnson wasn’t even sure she would still be in the pool by the time the Rio de Janeiro Olympics rolled around, but now she has a reason to keep training.
Johnson moved around after graduating from Clarion, including stints in Ohio and Kansas City. She has settled back in Fayette County and currently trains at West Virginia University.
“I’ve had quite a few coaches. That’s not typical to do,” said Johnson. “West Virginia has worked well.”
Johnson graduated with a degree in communications, but is considering going back to school for certification in physical training.
With the Olympic trials drawing closer, Johnson feels she can peak out at the right time.
“The prime age for females to peak is 23 to 25,” said Johnson, who is at the peak age now.
Johnson trains, but at a different level than she did in college. She spends time in the pool, but not as much, and is in the weight room three times a week.
“I didn’t plan on swimming anymore. I had the opportunity to do it,” continued Johnson. “I found I was getting faster. It kept me around.”