Strong Bond for Notre Dame Throwers Fontenette, Johnson

MOORPARK -- When April Fontenette competes in discus and shot put events, the objective is simple. When it is her turn to step into the discus cage or the shot put circle, she's there, alone with her thoughts, how she's approaching the throw and that it's time to succeed.

"I always say the biggest competition is yourself, because if you keep PR-ing and beating your own score, then no one else can reach you," says Fontenette. "You always work at bettering yourself rather than worrying about other people."

Within the cage and in the circle, the plan is working nicely for Fontenette, a senior at Notre Dame - Sherman Oaks High School, who is California's No. 1 discus and shot put thrower and will attend UCLA this fall.

Fontenette swept the CIF-Southern Section Division 3 discus and shot put titles at last Saturday's finals with PR marks that currently lead the state: 162-8 in the discus, 45-2 in the shot put.

Outside the sacred cage and circle, however, is where Fontenette has chosen to accept a different philosophy. Again, though, it is working out quite well. It's the bond she has with sophomore Notre Dame teammate Aja Johnson. The latter serves as a support system, a good friend, someone who cheers her up and provides valuable feedback when it matters most. Sure, Fontenette has coaches and family members, too, but Johnson has the most unique vantage point that others just don't.

Johnson is typically the one stepping into the cage or the circle right before or after Fontenette during a meet. She is the competition. Johnson ranks second in the shot put (44-3.50) and third in discus (149-7) in California. She was the Division 3 runner-up to Fontenette in both events last Saturday.

They've been high school teammates for two years, but actually first knew each other while competing in youth track events for the Northridge Racers and Valley United teams. The two-year age difference kept them separated from competing against each other in youth track, but when Johnson first arrived at Notre Dame, Fontenette welcomed her and established a bond they still enjoy today.

"I've been someone to be there to support her," Fontenette says. "When it was my freshman year, I had others from the upper classes who served as my support system. If I didn't have that, I don't think I would have done so well. I feel like I've been there for her, at meets, in practice, and just trying to lift up the mood, because some days we all have bad days and feel bummed out. But we have to remember there's always going to be a jump back at meets, or the next day at practice, and things will be better. I feel we've both been there for each other."

Johnson agrees: "It's great to have someone who keeps pushing you and, while doing that, also supports what you do, cheering for you. It was great when I was coming to a new school, a new environment, and I saw a familiar face. I'm very appreciative and grateful to be on the same team and throw with her at the same time."

Fontenette says the support is constant.

"If I mess up on a throw and then she goes before or after me, there's definitely that support. We're looking to lift each other up if we can. If we notice something we'll tell each other so it can be fixed for the next throw. It always hypes me up. It's always like, 'Good job!' or, like today, my first two throws weren't great, but on my third throw, after hearing her hype me up, I threw one out there and it went really good. It's truly amazing to have someone who is always there for you."

By going first and second in Division 3 and recording top marks, their 2023 season continues this Saturday at the CIF-Southern Section Masters Meet at Moorpark High School. This is all athletes' last chance to advance to the CIF-State Championship Meet May 26-27 in Clovis.

Fontenette and Johnson can look back fondly to last year's Masters Meet as a stepping stone to their first CIF State appearance.

Fontenette won the CIF divisional title in discus (150-10) and was second at the Masters Meet (139-3). She then threw a 157-1 on her first attempt in the State prelims to lead the field into the next day's finals. A throw of 155-8 was good for second place in the State final. In the shot put, she was fifth in the CIF divisional finals, fourth at the Masters Meet and third in the State final with a 41-5.25.

Johnson won the 2022 Masters Meet shot put as a freshman with a top mark of 43-6. She also competed in the discus, but finished seventh (129-10) to miss advancing in two events. Johnson's State appearance in the shot put was a 42-5.5 and gave her State runner-up placement.

Now as the 2023 season nears conclusion, the competitive nature among all athletes is starting to peak.

Fontenette, whose first two years were hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic's wipeout of the 2020 season and no CIF-State Meet until 2022, wants to finish strong.

She won 13 of 14 discus events entered this season and triumphed in nine of 13 shot put events. 

"I think here (at 2022 CIF-SS division finals) was when things started happening. I had my first throw of 150 or more and I've been growing ever since," Fontenette recalls. "Shot put has been strongest in my senior year. I had a plateau for awhile there, but getting to the 45-foot mark now is amazing. Going over 160 in the discus was a huge goal."

STATE SHOT PUT LEADERBOARD

Having these past two years with Fontenette as a teammate seems like a window into what Johnson's upside potential can be.

"I think her future is limitless," Fontenette says. "It's been a blessing to spend the last few years with Aja. I think she can do more than she thinks. Her discus throws are already almost at 150 and she can go way beyond what she throws (now). She can do it. I look forward to watching her these next couple of (Notre Dame) years to see her do it."

Johnson has been runner-up 12 times in discus events, all behind Fontenette. In the shot put, she's been runner-up nine times, but has won five events, including the Mt. SAC Relays with a 43-9. Her PR in the shot put is a 44-3.50 during a league tri-meet with St. Francis and Flintridge Sacred Heart.

"I've learned to be more patient with myself and centering my mind when I'm in a competition. Last year I'd let my mind wander and it would bring out negative thoughts. This year has been a lot better. I believe in myself, believe in my abilities and I trust myself more to get the job done."

STATE DISCUS THROW LEADERBOARD

It sure sounds like she's onto the same kind of focus Fontenette employs to be at her best. Asked what impresses her most about her senior teammate, Johnson has much praise. "Her strength, her perseverance, her determination and just being an all-around good athlete. She has a bunch of really great qualities I want to replicate."

The Fontenette-Johnson duo has a few more chances to shine this season. They understand what is needed for individual success and the importance of a support system that helps each other when it counts the most.

"It's always nice knowing that we push each other. There's always someone who throws near or farther than you, so it always pushes me to want to do better, and for her to do better as well," Fontenette says. "Just having someone else, there at, say, State because it is such a big meet, I feel a lot of teams or throwers don't have the gift of someone else being with them during the whole journey and they are alone. For us that's not the case. We always have someone to talk to and cheer us at the meets, which is a bonus. Being at the hotel, you go to dinner, you talk about the meet, and it's always uplifting, positive vibes."

Even asking for a prediction for what could happen in the coming weeks results in a very supportive answer.

Who wins? "We go one-two at State. It doesn't matter who wins, we just want to go one and two," says Johnson as Fontenette nods in approval.