North Fremont’s Corbin Johnston added a third straight state title to his collection

ASHTON – For Corbin Johnston, the number 16 is like a flashing beacon every time he runs.

The North Fremont senior knows that 16 minutes is the measuring stick for a 5k race. Come in under 16 minutes and the result is usually good.

How good?

Good enough to win a third-straight state title after clocking 15:47.5 at this season’s 3A championships despite cold and rainy conditions and earning EastIdahoNews.com Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year?

“I’m super happy how it ended up,” Johnston said after the championship race. “I wanted to get first and I was able to do that … It felt good and I got it done.”

Prior to the season Johnston noted he was focused on times and not so much the end prize of running for a third-straight championship. One would take care of the other.

He won the title race by nearly 30 seconds.

Two weeks later he ran 15:49.3 at the NXR Northwest Regional Championships to finish 40th. It was the top time for Johnston in three regional races.

And yes, another sub-16 finish.