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Interview with Dan Johnson

PUEBLO, Colo. – Senior Dan Johnson finished his track and field career at East Stroudsburg University with All-America honors in the decathlon, placing eighth in the event at the NCAA Division II Championships on Friday at Colorado State-Pueblo.

Johnson, the first ESU men's athlete to compete in an NCAA Championship in a multi event, becomes the school's first All-America decathlete as well. He scored 6,642 points for a 66-point margin over the ninth-place finisher for the final All-America spot, running 4:41.26 in the 1500m to widen the margin after holding onto eighth by just seven points going into the final event.

Junior Corinne Fitzgerald placed 10th in the 3000m steeplechase in 11:07.62, just over six seconds off the eighth-place finisher. Fitzgerald was seeded 15th entering the meet and ran 11:23.87 in the prelims on Thursday night for the 12th and final spot in Friday night's final.

Johnson, a six-time provisional qualifier who made his first to the NCAA Championships, made the most of his only trip to the national stage. He was just off his school-record performance (6,925 points) at the PSAC Championships on May 3-4 in nearly every event. He was second in the field in the high jump (6-6), javelin (178-6) and 1500.

Johnson was eighth through the first five events on Thursday and opened Friday with a PR of 15.69 in the 110m hurdles. He had marks of 108-6 in the discus and 12-9 1/2 before closing strong in the javelin and 1500.

Junior Matt Tholis will round out the Warriors' three national qualifiers in the men's javelin on Saturday. Tholis is seeded ninth with a mark of 212-6, which he threw to finished second in the PSAC on May 5. He is one of five PSAC athletes who qualified in the men's javelin.

Friday results

Decathlon
8. Dan Johnson – 6,642 points

3000m Steeplechase
10. Corinne Fitzgerald – 11:07.62

Johnson's marks (compared to PSAC Championships, May 3-4 – school record 6,925)
100m – 11.69 (11.64 – PR)
Long Jump – 19-9 3/4 (20-2 1/4)
Shot Put – 36-10 1/2 (38-9)
High Jump – 6-6 (6-6)
400m – 50.75 (50.55 – PR)
110m Hurdles – 15.69 – PR (15.83 – PR)
Discus – 108-6 (120-4 – PR)
Pole Vault – 12-9 1/2 (13-7 1/4)
Javelin – 178-6 (183-1 – PR)
1500m – 4:41.26 (4:32.07 – PR)