Michael Johnson

Meet Michael JohnsonMichael Johnson has become one of the greatest sprinters of all time. Michael has dominated the 200-meter and 400-meter events since 1990.Michael ran his best race at the 1996 Olympics. No man in history had won the 200-meter race and the 400-meter race at the same Games. Michael was the first.And he's not finished yet. Michael plans to set more records and win more medals at the 2000 Olympics, in Sydney, Australia ."I was good at arguing when I was a kid, so I wanted to become a lawyer.

What Marilyn Knight remembers most about the 1996 Summer Olympics is how little sleep she got. Knight would go to bed early to get up for her job as a licensed practical nurse at a Baltimore nursing home, only to be awakened a couple of hours later by her son, James Carter.Carter, then a recent graduate of Mervo and on his way to Hampton (Va.) University later that summer, could not contain his enthusiasm in watching Michael Johnson and Allen Johnson on television during their gold-medal performances in Atlanta.

Baltimore will have to wait a little longer for the opening of the Heritage Shadows of the Silver Screen Museum & Cinema, which has been beset with financial difficulties since founder Michael Johnson started the project nearly a year ago.The museum and theater, which will showcase African-American films and movie memorabilia, was scheduled to open at 205 W. North Ave. as early as October.Most recently, it was scheduled to open Feb. 5 with a Dorothy Dandridge exhibit, screenings of "Porgy and Bess" and a visit from Sidney Poitier, who will be receiving a lifetime achievement award.

I knew this would happen, and I'm a most happy fella because of it. Monday, I asked readers to fill in the blank: "You know you're from Baltimore if . . . "Now look: A stack of mail the size and shape of Turkey Joe Trabert. In fact, the big, bearded, lovable beer-can collector and bon vivant of Batavia Avenue leads off.You know you're from Baltimore if . . .Turkey Joe: "You eat sauerkraut with your turkey on Thanksgiving. . . . You save extra-large frozen orange juice cans, cut out the tops and bottoms, and use them as hair rollers.

The ball didn't bounce their way, the close calls seemed to go against them, and they committed too many turnovers. Despite it all, the resilient City Knights still had an opportunity to win yesterday's Class 2A state semifinal against Cumberland's Fort Hill at Poly.What they couldn't overcome was the performance of Fort Hill running back Josh Page.After the No. 4 Knights had pulled to within seven points with 8: 06 remaining, Page anchored a 14-play, 64-yard drive that consumed 7: 04 and culminated in his game-clinching 4-yard touchdown run.Final score: Fort Hill 27, City 14.With the win, the Sentinels (10-2)

The ball didn't bounce their way, the close calls seemed to go against them, and they committed too many turnovers. Despite it all, the resilient City Knights still had an opportunity to win yesterday's Class 2A state semifinal against Cumberland's Fort Hill.What they couldn't overcome on Poly's field was the performance of Fort Hill running back Josh Page.After the Knights, No. 4 in metro Baltimore, had pulled to within seven points with 8: 06 remaining, Page anchored a 14-play, 64-yard drive that consumed 7 minutes 4 seconds and ended in his game-clinching 4-yard touchdown run.Final score: Fort Hill 27, City 14.With the win, the Sentinels (10-2)

Eighth-ranked St. Mary's played under control for the first time in three weeks yesterday and upset unbeaten, No. 3 City College, 23-12.The Saints (4-2), guilty of 10 personal fouls in a two-game losing streak, committed none yesterday. In front of a large homecoming crowd, they jumped out to a 17-0 lead at the half and limited City's (5-1) usually potent ground game to just 30 total yards. City was averaging 35 points a game."St. Mary's is the first team to stop our run totally," said City coach George Petrides.

St. Mary's built a 17-0 halftime lead and relied on its defense led by linebacker Monte Graves (12 tackles, one interception) to upend unbeaten, No. 3 City, 23-12 at Anne Arundel Community College yesterday.The No. 8 Saints (4-2) got two first-half touchdown passes from Ryan Metzbower (11-for-21, 19 yards), a 16-yarder to Bryant Airey and a 13-yard toss to Jamison Mullen, who also kicked a 27-yard field goal and two extra points.City (5-1) came in averaging 35 points a game but was held to a total of 30 yards rushing while the Saints controlled most of the game with the running of Rashi Reed, who carried 30 times for 102 yards, including a one-yard touchdown late in the final period.

No. 4 Poly (4-0) atNo. 1 Dunbar (3-1)When: Today, 3: 30 p.m.Outlook: This is the third time these two programs have met in the four-year tenure of Dunbar coach Stanley Mitchell (36-5 career), and each season, the winner has reached the season-ending state finals in its class. Dunbar has won two straight state titles. "They're state champs until somebody beats them, especially with No. 44 [RB Ali Culpepper,]" said Poly coach Augie Waibel (256-57 career). "But they're not a one-man team." Culpepper, an All-Metro pick, rated No. 4 nationally by tTC The National Recruiting Advisor.

City's season-opening loss to C. Milton Wright last season set the tone for the Knights' worst campaign in the past 10 years.If yesterday's rematch is any indication, however, this will be a very different season for City.The 11th-ranked Knights throttled the third-ranked Mustangs, 44-7, at City.Although City (1-0) returned 12 starters and C.M. Wright (0-1) had 17 starters back, it was apparent from the outset that these were not the same teams that met last season when the Mustangs prevailed, 30-14.