Sparkman’s Johnny Holloway Signs With Alcorn State

HARVEST- Alcorn State University is about to receive what many consider one of the top track athletes in Alabama. Sparkman High’s Johnny Holloway recently signed an athletic scholarship with the Braves after stellar high school track performances for the Class 7A Senators.

“They have an amazing head coach and track program as they have a lot of athletes who compete in the NCAA Nationals,” said Holloway. “I knew it was the school for me.”

Holloway finished his high school endeavors with personal best times of: 100- 10.72 seconds, 200- 21.82, 400- 70.03.

The 5-foot-7, 155-pound Holloway was once a basketball player at Sparkman before he chose to concentrate on track once he arrived among the high school ranks. His background in track began as a nine-year old with the Huntsville Metro Club where he made the Jr. Olympics in his first season of running track. He finished among the top 12 in the country in both the 100-meter and 200-meter races. After four years away from track he returned to the sport that would take him to the next level of education.

Holloway will carry a 3.3 grade point average to the school located in Loman, Miss., which was founded in 1871. The Braves’ athletic program partakes in the SWAC Conference. He chose Alcorn State over offers from Xavier and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

“They want me to run the 100 and 200 individual races along with relays in both the 4×100 and 4×200,” said Holloway. “I’m most comfortable in the 200 as I can keep up my speed for a long time and when I come off the curve I have that explosive speed.”

The son of Johnny and Carla Holloway plans on earning his education in Agriculture Business and Communications. After finishing sixth in the AHSAA State Meet in the 200-meter to complete his high school action, Holloway is now busy training and attending some summer track meets. He indicated a year ago he really began to gain confidence about his college caliber talents by competing against college athletes and doing very well against the older athletes.

Holloway dealt with asthma throughout his childhood and uses an inhaler when needed, but has never used his condition as an excuse. His efforts have certainly paid dividends with his signing to help his way through obtaining a college education using his legs to perfection.