Felisha Johnson breaks Shot Put record

Felisha Johnson is a sophomore recreational sports management major who recently broke the school shot put record by 74 feet-2.50 inches. (22.62 meters).    

Johnson exceeded the women's weight throw distance for the fourth time this season. She also broke the ISU record at the event.

Johnson won the shot put at the DePauw Tiger Invitational on Feb. 5 with a distance of 50 feet-7.5 inches  (15.43 meters.) Her personal best is just two inches farther than this score. Her teammate, Kelsey Hanley, came in second this season with a distance of 66 feet- 6.5 inches (20.33 meters.)

Johnson has recently received the title of Missouri Valley Conference Women's Field Athlete of the Week.

"I was surprised, I didn't think anyone would notice," Johnson said. "It's my first one. It's pretty cool being a sophomore and winning an award."

The conference office announced her award on Feb. 8.

"Every week a boy and girl are picked from the field. Every school nominates a person and the conference picks one person," said women's track and field head coach Angela Martin, explaining the process through which an individual obtains this honor.

Martin went on to explain that the top four athletes of the conference are of the top eight in the nation.

Johnson said that before practice and meets she has a standardized warm-up routine. She prepares herself and focuses while warming up, trying to have fun and do well at the events.

"[Johnson] is a tremendous athletic. She might be intimidating at first, but she's a great person," Martin said. "She is very into the team. She wants to be successful, but she wants others to be successful too."

Martin said Johnson has had a good season. She is ranked second nationwide in her event. Martin said she has high expectations for Johnson, but tries not to put too much pressure on her.  

As for her future plans, she wants to work in advertisement or marketing for sports teams. Johnson's first priority is to receive a college diploma.