Posted 5/4/06
UW-Platteville's Mary Johnson leads the Pioneers into the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference track and field championships Friday and Saturday at UW-Oshkosh. The senior from Trempealeau owns Pioneer sprinting records for both the indoor and outdoor 200-meter runs and the outdoor 100 meters. She tied her own 200-meter outdoor mark at 25.60 this spring.
How is your season going and how have you been running? What have been your highlights?
"It's going really well, but I'm hoping my highlights are still to come at the outdoor meet. So far, though, I'm pretty happy. Indoors went pretty well, better than I thought it would. The girls did awesome as a team (finishing fourth, UWP's best finish ever)."
Do you have goals for the outdoor conference meet?
"I'm ranked first in the 200 and second in the 100, but the rankings don't mean much. I have to perform. I've been running consistently in the 200, and I hope that carries over. I have high expectations."
Each year you've been here, you've improved your times and standings. What do you attribute to your success?
"Definitely the coaching staff. Coach (Jim) Nickasch is awesome. He's worked with me through everything. Coming in, I was a year out of knee surgery, and he stuck with me. I've followed everything he told me and all the workouts he gave me. Definitely I attribute all my improvements to Coach Nickasch."
Was there a time that, as the saying goes, the light clicked on and everything came together for you?
"In my junior year I could really tell. My times really dropped, and it was the first time I ever ran under 26 seconds for the 200. I was like, 'wow, this is awesome.' Everything finally came together."
What is your strength in the sprints?
"I think it's my reaction time for the start. I feel like I have a really good start. I'm a little slower when I get going, but then I finish strong. I always think if I have five more meters, I could catch that girl. But I think my start is my strength."
As a senior, do you look back at how far the program has come in your four years?
"It's really exciting. I've seen it when it's not at its highest, and now it has grown so much. I'm just excited to see what is to come. I won't personally be a part of it, but I'll still think back that I helped contribute to it. I hope it keeps growing. The team is doing great."
What comes after track and field for you?
"I'm in elementary education, and I'll be here for one more year, which will be nice because I can concentrate on school and finish that. I'll still be around, and I hope to be down on the track and coaching."
What is the one thing you will take from your track career into your teaching profession?
"Be patient. Keep working at what you do, and things will come together if you stick to your plan."
Interview by SID Paul Erickson