Name: Johnie Talamantes
School: Red Mountain High School
Johnie Talamantes carved his name onto four individual records for Red Mountain this year and will be recognized for generations to come as one of the Lions' greatest athletes. He graduated RMHS after setting school records in the 110-meter Hurdles, the 300-meter Hurdles, the Long Jump, and the Triple Jump and also anchored the Lion's Shuttle Hurdle Relay to a school record. At the State Meet, Johnie clinched the individual State Title in the High Hurdles and made the podium in all three of the other events.
Where are you from and when did you begin running track?
I'm from Mesa Arizona and my track career started my freshman year in the hurdles and jumps.
What was your most memorable moment?
I think my most memorable moment was at Hohokam when I broke 14 seconds and ran 13.88.
Did you listen to music before competing? If so what's on your playlist?
I did not listen to music before I ran. I preferred to interact with other athletes that were running in my event.
Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
My biggest competition definitely has to be James Smith in the hurdles. He's a great athlete and is just unbelievable in those 300 hurdles.
What was your greatest accomplishment?
I think my greatest accomplishment was breaking 5 school records and medaling in all 4 of my events at the Arizona state track meet, one being a gold.
You set two of those school records on your home track this season. Would you describe how much that meant for you and the Red Mountain community?
It meant a lot and knowing I did it on the track I ran on for four years and trained hard for felt amazing and I couldn't have done it without the coaches and other athletes that always supported me along the way.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
My biggest obstacle had to have been my junior year hamstring after season and running on it at the Great Southwest track meet.
What will you miss the most about competing for your team?
What I will miss more about competing for my team is all my friends and memories I made with them.
What do you like to do outside of sports and academics for Red Mountain?
Outside of sports and academics I was involved in two clubs. Student council and club interact where we volunteered a lot helping those that are less fortunate.
What advice would you give to younger Red Mountain athletes?
Some advice I would give to younger athletes is just listen to coach and trust the process of him making you not only faster but a better athlete.
What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
My coach has influenced me so much not only as an athlete but a person. Always telling me what was right and wrong and leading me to where I am today.
What are your college plans? Have you decided on a major?
For college I decided to attend Weber State Utah and get a major in business administration.
How did you decide that Weber State was the right fit for you?
On my visit I got to hang out with all the athletes and while I was there I just knew it was the right fit the way I was so welcomed there. I also got to see them practice and saw how they worked hard and had fun.
Weber State coach Tiffany Hogan has a lot of experience as a world-class athlete and also as a hurdles and horizontal jumps coach. What do you like about her coaching style and what do you hope to accomplish under her tutelage at Weber State?
I noticed that she pushed the athletes to try their best and knowing she is a world class athlete made everything just right and that's something I liked about her and the way she coaches. I hope to become a great athlete while I'm there and maybe set a few records there as well and compete in the NCAA championships.
Who would you like to thank for your success in high school?
My success in high school has involved a lot of people including my parents, my coaches, my teachers, and lastly my girlfriend for always being on me and telling me to be successful not only in track but in school.
Fun Stuff!
If you could have any superpower what would it be?
I would definitely like to fly.
What's your favorite sports team?
Got to go with the Celtics.
What in your opinion is the hardest event in track and field?
In my opinion, the hardest event in track is pole-vaulting because when I did the decathlon, my performance in that was by far the most embarrassing.
What was your favorite subject in school?
My favorite subject in school has to be math for some odd reason.
What are you most excited to do when you get Ogden, UT?
The thing I'm most excited to do in Ogden is snowboard and shred it up there.
