They go back and forth like two friends on a see-saw, helping
each other reach new heights in every single race. UCLA hurdler
Brandon Johnson will tell you that perhaps his old high school
buddy Kerron Clement of Florida helped him set a new personal
record. Clement will say the same about his Bruin friend. The two
share a healthy rivalry that keeps moving onto bigger and bigger
stages each time. Earlier this month, Johnson and Clement traveled
to Grosetto, Italy, to compete in the Track and Field Junior World
Championships where they faced off in the 400-meter hurdles.
Clement won the event in 48.51 seconds as Johnson finished second
in 48.62, breaking his old record by over two-tenths of a second.
 “It’s cool. We’ve been rivals throughout
high school in Texas,” Johnson said of his friend. “I
think we pushed each other to a (personal record). It’s a
very healthy relationship, and (in) the future we will make each
other run faster.” As true freshmen, the two have pushed each
other all season. During their respective conference championships
Johnson ran 48.85 to take home the Pac-10 title and the fastest
collegiate time in the nation. The next day, after hearing about
his friend’s success, Clement went out and won the SEC
Championships in 48.77. After Clement went on to win a national
title in the event, the two faced each other again at the U.S
Junior Championships in Texas. There Johnson took home the title as
Clement finished second. By finishing in the top two, both were
invited to the Junior World Championships. Once there, the two
Americans reunited and drove each other once again to the top of
his game. “It’s definitely a friendly rivalry,”
UCLA sprints coach Tony Veney said. “Which is good because
Brandon would have not run that fast if Kerron wasn’t there.
“They bring the best out of each other.” Though they
both attended different high schools, Johnson and Clement met
through the prep high school circuit. They later became friends,
having stayed with Johnson’s coach during the summer track
and field program. Now two of the top collegiate hurdlers in the
nation, they will have some time off before they compete against
each other again. Like always, Johnson will be ready when that time
comes. “He’s won two out of three, and I’ve only
won one,” he said. “So next time I’ve got to beat
him to even it out.”
BRUINS SUCCESSFUL IN CANADA: During the 2004
NACAC-TELUS Track & Field Championships held in Sherbrooke,
Canada, this past weekend, former Bruin long jumper Juaune Armon
won the event with a jump of 24 feet 8.25 inches. The competition
““ held for those under 23 years old ““ also featured
current UCLA sprinter Craig Everhart in the 400m sprints. Everhart
finished fourth with a time of 45.98.