He effectively defended his championship in 1922 as he was beaten by Ville Ritola's Van Cortlandt Park course record, but since Ritola was Finnish, Johnson was the first American finisher in the National Championships.
He won his championship in 1922, though he was defeated by Ville Ritola's Van Cortlandt Park course record; however, since Ritola was Finnish, Johnson became the first American to finish in the National Championships.