Shady Side Academy freshman jumps right into high school track career

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, April 26, 2025 | 11:01 AM

Adam Janosko got a solid report on Javon Johnston before he made it to the Shady Side Academy boys varsity track and field team.

Janosko was told that Johnston set a middle school record at Moon for one of the horizontal jumps.

Johnston, now a freshman, is finding ways to live up to his reputation. At the Butler Invitational, Johnston placed third in the triple jump among a competitive field with a leap of 45 feet, 0.25 inches.

He also finished fourth in the long jump with a leap of 22-2 ½.

“I was in awe of his triple jump,” Janosko said. “He was hitting 43 during his jumps, which is already top tier for a freshman. In the finals, he was hitting his marks and was able to get to 45. He is one of the best horizontal jumpers that I’ve had at SSA.”

Janosko wants Johnston to have fun with track, but he also wants to see Johnston grow as the season gets closer to the WPIAL Class 2A championships.

“Honestly, we want him to stay healthy,” Janosko said. “That’s priority No. 1. He has good fundamentals. We want him to tweak things here and there, but we want him to do his thing.”

Janosko was also happy with the performance of Will Nury and Harlan Cooper, who both competed in the 1,600-meter run. Cooper is also a freshman.

The Butler Invite gave Shady Side Academy an opportunity to test itself against strong competition.

“That’s just it, our kids could compete with some of the 3A teams and 3A athletes,” Janosko said. “That experience is invaluable. They’ll be better prepared as we move into May.”

A number of local athletes did well at Butler. On the girls side, the Bulldogs 3,200-meter relay team, consisting of Charlotte Barker, Rhyley Bendel, Sarah Kushnir and Ella Van Norman, placed third with a time of 9:42.85.

Barker picked up an eighth-place finish in the 3,200 run with a time of 11:10.30. Maria Ravotti went 5-2 in the high jump to place ninth.

Fox Chapel thrower Claire Conti finished third in the discus with a throw of 117-6. She also placed 10th in the shot put (33-6).

Tags: Fox Chapel, Shady Side Academy