East Michigan News

Eastern Michigan men's track & field student-athlete Ryan Johnson placed fourth in the hammer throw with a toss of 72.13m (236-7), representing both the Eagles and Team USA at the 2024 U20 World Athletics Championships at Estadio Atletico de la Videna in Lima, Peru, on Thursday, Aug. 29.

Now the fourth-best hammer thrower under the age of 20 globally, Johnson (Springboro, Ohio/Springboro) achieved this after winning the U20 competition at the USA Track & Field Championships with a toss of 71.06m (233-01) on June 13. He dominated the collegiate season, earning All-MAC First Team distinction in both indoor and outdoor seasons with event wins in weight and hammer throw at conference championships. Additionally, Johnson was named Freshman Field Performer of the Year following both the MAC Indoor and Outdoor Championships.

Alongside Johnson, three other EMU track & field athletes participated in Peru. Fellow sophomore Jake McEachern (Lloydminster, Alberta/Lloydminster Comprehensive) represented Team Canada in the hammer throw, placing 18th in the qualification round with a mark of 67.68m (222-0) on Aug. 27.

On the second day of competition, sophomore standout and Team Canada athlete Paige Marchant (London, Ontario/Catholic Central) ran in the 1500m, finishing 23rd in 4:26.31.

Running for Team Greece in the 100m hurdles, Nikol Antoniadi (Didimoticho, Greece Geniko Lykeio Didimotichou) placed 48th with a time of 14.45 seconds.

Eastern track & field student-athletes will return to action as the 2024 cross country season kicked off Friday, Aug. 30. They are set to race next at the George Dales Invitational hosted by Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo on Friday, Sept. 20.

For updates on Eastern track and field activities, follow their social media accounts @EMUXC_TF on X; @emuxc_tf on Instagram; and Eastern Michigan Cross Country & Track and Field on Facebook.

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