Sprints/Hurdles Coach Mike Johnson

"Hard work and dedication is what makes UW-Whitewater one of THE top hurdling programs in the country."

Mike Johnson enters his third season as sprints/hurdles coach at UW-Whitewater.

The 2007 season saw another climb in the dominance of hurdling at UW-Whitewater. Jon Schellin earned All-American honors in the 55m hurdles. Newcomers Dan Rufenacht and Sam Matter added to the solid base and depth allowing UW-Whitewater to be the team to beat in WIAC Conference action. Since beginning his stint at UW-Whitewater, Johnson has had athletes compete in every NCAA indoor and outdoor championship meet.

In 2006, Johnson's athletes set extremely high marks. Joe Schmidt participated in the 55m hurdles at the 2006 NCAA Indoor National Championships. Jon Schellin and Schmidt also competed in the 2006 NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 110m hurdles and 400m hurdles respectively.

As an athlete at UW-Whitewater, Johnson earned four varsity letters while competing in hurdles, sprints, and relays. He earned two NCAA Division III provisional qualifying marks, both in the 55m hurdles. He was also picked as a Second Team All-WIAC Conference member in the 110 hurdles in his senior season in 2005.

He was a team captain in his senior season and also received the UW-Whitewater Academic Achievement Award twice.

Johnson graduated in 2001 from Marshall High School, competing in Track and Cross Country. During his career at MHS, Johnson was a team captain, and four-year letter winner. He was an 8 time WIAA State Track & Field meet qualifier and competitor. He was the 2001 WIAA Division III State Champion in the 110m Hurdles and runner-up in the 300m Hurdles. Johnson was also named his teams' MVP and the Eastern Suburban Conference MVP in 2001. Johnson still holds both school records in the 110m Hurdles (14.30) and 300m Hurdles (39.7).

Coach Johnson has coached at the high school level as a volunteer assistant hurdle coach for his alma mater Marshall High School (2004-2005). He also coached as an Assistant Coach in sprints/hurdles/jumps in the 2006 season.

Coach Johnson graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety & Health from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He is currently pursuing his masters degree in  Exercise Physiology.  Johnson is a USATF Level 2 certified Track & Field coach in Sprints/Hurdles as well as a member of the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).  He is also the clinician for the hurdles at the UW-Whitewater Summer Track & Field Camp and the UW-Whitewater Learn-By-Doing Clinic. Coach is also the webmaster for www.warhawktrack.com.

Johnson's Record of Success

Individual Collegiate Coaching:

            In 3 Years…

                        9 NCAA Division III Track & Field Qualifiers

                        6 NCAA Division III National Meet Appearances

                        19 NCAA Division III Track & Field Qualifying Performances

                        1 WIAC Conference Champion

                        3 School Records

                        1 All-American (55m Hurdles - Jon Schellin, 2007, 2008)

NCAA Meet Qualifiers:

            Joe Schmidt (2006 NCAA Indoors - 55m Hurdles)

            Jon Schellin (2006 NCAA Indoors - 55m Hurdles)

            Jon Schellin (2006 NCAA Outdoors - 110m Hurdles)

            Joe Schmidt (2006 NCAA Outdoors - 400m Hurdles)

            Adam Lendowski (2006 NCAA Outdoors - Decathlon)

            Jon Schellin (2007 NCAA Indoors - 55m Hurdles)

            Jon Schellin (2007 NCAA Outdoors - 110m Hurdles)

            Jon Schellin (2008 NCAA Indoors - 55m Hurdles)

            Jon Schellin (2008 NCAA Outdoors - 110m Hurdles)

(Coach Johnson with 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist (110m Hurdles) Allen Johnson)