College: Huntington University
Events: 1,500 - 4:11.22; 3,000 Steeplechase - 10:04.49
Coach: Mark Rowland
Website: johnsonrunning.com
Professional: Going into the 2012 Olympic year, Johnson was looking to take her training to the next level. She moved to Eugene, Ore. to train with Amy Yoder-Begley and under coach Andrew Begley. Lauren had a very strong indoor season, which started with a personal best in the 3k, followed by a competitive mile, and culminated in a 4th place finish in the 1,500 meters at the USATF Indoor Championships. At the Payton Jordan Invitational, Johnson ran a PR in the 1,500 meters and won her debut in the 3,000 steeplechase, both of which qualified her for the U.S. Olympic Trials. Prior to the Trials, Lauren was diagnosed with an Achilles injury and decided to end the season early.
During the 2011 indoor season, Johnson ran a new mile PB of 4:33.64. However, a severe ankle sprain the week before the USATF Championships ended her indoor season and severely hampered the outdoor season.
In January of 2010, Johnson moved to Beaverton, Oregon, to train under coach Andrew Begley (husband of 2008 Olympian Amy Yoder-Begley). In Lauren's first year with Coach Begley, she improved her personal best in every distance from 800 meters to 6 km, and qualified for both the indoor and outdoor USATF Championships in the 800 meters.
College: Johnson attended Huntington University (a small NAIA school in Northeast Indiana) on a basketball and track scholarship. She was competitive at the NAIA level and in her senior season, Lauren dropped her 800-meter personal best from 2:19 to 2:07. She placed fourth at the NAIA Outdoor National Championships, which earned her a second NAIA All-American honors. She had already been named an All-American in basketball that same year. Following graduation, she returned for one semester to finish coursework in preparation for graduate school, and competed for the cross country team. She earned her third All-American honor that season and decided to dedicate her full attention to running.
High School: Johnson was a four year varsity starter for Huntington North High School. She ran track for four years and cross country during her junior and senior year.
Personal: From Huntington, Indiana. Married to Nicolas Johnson. Two pets, Luna and Raven.
Personal Bests - Indoors
Mile - 4:33.64 - 2011
3,000 meters - 9:17.12 - 2012
Personal Bests - Outdoors
1,500 meters - 4:11.22 - Payton Jordan Invitational, Palo Alto, Calif. - April 29, 2012
3,000 steeplechase - 10:04.49 - Oregon Relays, Eugene, Ore. - April 21, 2012
