Jan Eric JOHNSON

While attending Kansas, Jan Johnson won the 1970 NCAA outdoor pole vault although the competition was concluded indoors in a nearby fieldhouse because of a cloudburst. Johnson later enrolled at Alabama and claimed three major victories in 1971, winning the AAU outdoor, the NCAA Indoor, and the Pan American Games. His career best of 18-0½ (5.50) came at the 1972 Final Trials when he placed third. Johnson earned a Ph.D. in physical education at Southern Illinois and continued to compete sporadically for a number of seasons after the Olympics.

Father of Chelsea Johnson, World silver medalist in pole vault 2009.

Personal Bests: LJ – 24-9 (7.54) (1972); PV – 18-0½ (5.50) (1972).