Cornelius Cooper JOHNSON

As an 18-year-old high school student, Corny Johnson tied for first place in the 1932 Olympic high jump, but was relegated to fourth place in the jump-off. Johnson then went to Compton Junior College and early in 1936 he set a world indoor record of 6-8 15/16 (2.05). At the 1936 Final Trials he tied with Dave Albritton when both set a world record of 6-9¾ (2.07) and he then took the Olympic title, clearing 6-8 (2.03) without a single failure before unsuccessfully attempting a new world record of 6-10 (2.08). Johnson won or shared the AAU title five times and was AAU indoor champion three times – twice tied. Johnson died of bronchial pneumonia while being taken to hospital.

Personal Best: HJ – 2.076 (1936).