She’s the fastest runner in Bradford Area High School history and she’ll now be taking that speed to the next level.
Regan Johnson, who holds the school record in the 100M dash with a time of 12.45, signed her National Letter of Intent earlier this week to continue her track and field career at Slippery Rock University.
Johnson joins a successful program at Slippery Rock, as the Lions are coming off a Women’s Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field title in 2019, which is the 17th for program since coach John Papa took over in 1987.
“We did a couple of visits to Slippery Rock and knew they had a highly respected track and field program with a great coaching staff,” Johnson said. “They made me feel very welcome when I was there.”
Johnson, a senior, has won eight District 9 titles through her first three seasons in Bradford — including the Jim Manners Award in 2019, which is given to the most valuable athlete at the D9 Championships.
In addition to her blazing fast times in the 100 and 200, Johnson anchors the 4X100 relay team and also competes in the long jump.
“I’m very happy for her,” said Bradford girls track coach Larry Stillman, who has coached Johnson her entire high school career. “I think it’s a good fit; coach Papa has a good program and she’s certainly earned it. She is one of the greatest sprinters in the history of the (Bradford High School) program.”
Not only does Johnson compete for Bradford in the outdoor track season, but she also runs in indoors in the winter.
Said Johnson, “I put in a lot of work in the offseason, especially indoor track which helps me to develop skills in the outdoor season. I work hard in the summer as well and Coach Stillman is really great with that in the offseason.”
She also credited the help of assistant track coach Natalie Marasco, who specializes in the sprints.
Johnson isn’t just a one-sport athlete, either. She recently ended a stellar four-year high school soccer career at Bradford that saw her score over 100 goals and helped to lead the Lady Owls to back-to-back D9 championships.
“She has certainly had to work hard and earned it,” Stillman noted. “Besides being an outstanding soccer player she has done both indoor and outdoor for three years. She works hard starting in December all the way through both seasons.”
Johnson’s indoor track season will start in a few weeks before suiting up again for the Lady Owls in the spring. After the team finished second in last year’s D9 championships, Johnson will be looking to guide Bradford back to the top of the District after winning titles in 2017 and 2018.
Of her individual goals, Johnson said, “I’m looking forward to hopefully returning to set the 100 record again. I’d also like another first place finish in districts as well as setting another record in that meet.
