PJ Johnson starred in three sports

In a day and age when the three-sport athlete has become all but non-existent, PJ Johnson’s athletic accomplishments at Jim Thorpe Area High School from 2008-12 should be undoubtedly appreciated.

PJ excelled in track and field, football and basketball during his career with the Olympians, utilizing his blazing speed and quickness to set himself apart from the rest.

Johnson’s career on the track has been one of the most impactful in program history. In 2012, his senior campaign, Johnson took home many school records and postseason medals. His school record accomplishments at Jim Thorpe include: a school record in the long jump at 22-9.75 (still stands); a school record in the 200 (22.89, 2012-18); a school record as a member of the 400 relay team (43.79. 2012-18); and a school record in the high jump (2012-16).

In 2012, Johnson performed well not only during the regular season, but also in the postseason as well. He was a Schuylkill League and District 11 long jump champion in 2012, and finished third at the PIAA Championships in the Class 2A long jump. Johnson was also third in the Class 2A 200 at states in 2012. He also qualified for the 2012 PIAA Championships as a member of the 400 relay team.

Johnson was not only a standout in track and field, but also on the gridiron for the Olympians. He suited up for the Red Swarm for three seasons from 2009-11 and was a valuable weapon for head coach Mark Rosenberger and his staff. Johnson was used all over the field at multiple positions in order to take advantage of his game-breaking ability. In his career, Johnson amassed 49 catches for 841 yards at an impressive 17.16 yards per catch with 12 career receiving touchdowns. Johnson was also utilized ub the run game as well, rushing for 765 yards and seven touchdowns with an average of 5.93 yards per carry during his career. In his football career, Johnson was responsible for 1,606 yards and 22 touchdowns at an exceptional 11.7 yards per touch.

Lastly, Johnson also excelled on the basketball court, where many would be hard-pressed to argue that he wasn’t one of the quickest guards in Jim Thorpe basketball history. Johnson averaged 7.87 points per game in three seasons at point guard for the Olympians, with his best season coming in his junior campaign where he averaged 9.45 points per game.

Johnson made an immediate impact as a sophomore, anchoring the Olympians bench attack. Thorpe finished the 2009-10 season with a 17-8 record that included trips to the Schuylkill League semifinals, and District 11 Class 3A semis.

From 2008-12, PJ Johnson put together a hall of fame career for the Olympians, breaking records on the track while making a profound impact on the football field and hardwood.

In the next few weeks leading up to the banquet, other inductees into this year’s class will be highlighted. The other inductees include Ethan Smith, Ryan Saunders II, Chris “Chopper” Figura, the 1969 Jim Thorpe championship football team, and Kayla Susko.

The 30th annual Jim Thorpe Area Sports Hall of Fame banquet will be held at Dean Anthony’s Restaurant in Jim Thorpe on Saturday, Aug. 17.

A cocktail hour will begin at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., and the induction ceremony will start at 7:15 p.m. Entertainment will begin at the conclusion of the induction ceremony, which will be at around 8:30 p.m. The cost is $35 for adults and $11.95 for kids. The price includes dinner, selected drinks and entertainment.

Tickets for the induction ceremony and the rest of the evening may be obtained by calling Jack Kmetz at 570-325-4923 or Wilmer Redline at 570-325-3073.