July 29, 2008

MILWAUKEE - Head cross country and assistant track coach Mike Nelson has announced the signing of Olivia Johnson to a National Letter of Intent.

"We are thrilled about the addition of Olivia Johnson to the women's cross-country/track and field squad," Nelson said. "She is a talented runner and should make an immediate impact on our team."

Johnson comes to Marquette with a year of experience at Northwestern College (Orange City, Iowa), in which she earned All-America honors in cross country after a third place finish at the 2007 NAIA Cross Country Championships. It was at the NAIA Championships that she recorded a personal-best time in the 5K of 17:46.

Last season Johnson won four cross country meets, including the NAIA Region III Championships, earning her all-conference recognition and the Great Plains Athletic Conference Runner of the Year award.

On the track, Johnson earned NAIA All-Amerca recognition in the mile and distance medley during the indoor season and the 1,500 meters and distance medley during the outdoor season.

At Marquette she will focus on the 800-, 1,500- and 3,000-meter runs along with the distance relays.

A native of Millford, Iowa, Johnson attended Okoboji High School where she earned first-team all-state honors in both cross country and track under head coach Brad Peter.