Third-Generation Vaulter Benefits From Family’s Work Ethic And Passion For Event
By David Woods for DyeStat
HOBART, Ind. – To understand how Cody Johnston became arguably the nation’s top high school pole vaulter, you must understand what local residents call the Region. You must understand Northwest Indiana’s heritage of industry, labor, family . . . and track and field champions.
The Calumet Region, encompassing the southern shore of Lake Michigan, features ecological and ethnic diversity. Johnston represents the Hobart Brickies, whose nickname comes from the brickyards once manufactured here. The Region was a center of steelmaking, and that’s where Johnston’s grandfather comes in.
The 19-year-old is steeped in family lore, but Cody first picked up a pole because he wanted to be like Riley, his older brother. Riley and Cody are state champions, as were Cody’s grandfather, Uncle Robb and cousin Kyle.
Cody, a two-time national indoor champion, raised his outdoor best to a US#2 of 17 feet, 6 inches last week. He aims at the state meet record of 17-6.25 Friday at Bloomington.
“I’ve liked listening, hearing and watching it all growing up,” Cody said. “Now it doesn’t really play a part in my jumping any more. It’s just kind of trying to be the best in the family.”
Before Cody, that was Grandpa.
Jim Johnston Sr., born in Gary, Ind., in 1934, started college at Idaho on a basketball scholarship. He returned to Hobart after his father had a heart attack to help support a family of seven children, working as a welder in the steel mills.
Johnston Sr. finished 14th in the 1956 Olympic decathlon trials at Crawfordsville, Ind. Team USA spots went to three of the biggest names in the sport’s history: Rafer Johnson, Milt Campbell, Bob Richards. One of the athletic trainers there, Purdue’s Pinky Newell, asked Johnston Sr. where he competed in college.
“They got him to come back to college and go to Purdue,” said son Jim Johnston Jr., father of Cody.
In NCAA meets, Johnston Sr. tied for the title at 14-4 in 1958 and finished second at 14-10 in 1959. He was twice Big Ten champion. He went to the Olympic Trials again in 1960, this time in the vault, and was 10th at 14-4. Don Bragg, one of the last great vaulters to use an aluminum pole, set a world record of 15-9.25 and won gold in Rome.
Johnston Sr. went on to become a Hobart teacher and coach for 40 years. He died in 2020 at age 85. There is a shrine in his son’s backyard…
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