usually when a 19 year old girl finishing 4th at USA’s in the 1500m, the message boards would go crazy. But no one is celebrating her because of her past. It’s sad honestly. I don’t think she should be viewed as someone to dislike. She just unfortunately met up with the wrong people who she viewed as her mentors. Some things are just out of her control, especially when you are young.
I recognize that her "mentors" have been highly manipulative. I made plenty of poor life decisions at an age more advanced than hers. It's not even simply the decisions and their results, but how she went about it. She had committed to CU and backed out essentially at 11:59 p.m., right when the semester started. Layer-on how she chose to put herself into something that she really had no business being in and kept squarely stepping in the dog doo. To many, this is probably indicative of her future decision making. Sure, she's running great and if she went pro tomorrow she might get a good offer from a good group that could give her an escape from that mistake. I wouldn't trust her, though, not without a lot of intensive therapy. I'd expect her to fall off a cliff, psychologically and in terms of performance, rather than really thrive and progress consistently.
I personally feel bad for her. She is another Lynn Jennings, but we know it in real time. She probably feels that the only way forward athletically is through the guidance of her abuser. I wish she could realize now how wrong it was for a 30+ year old married man to impersonate a UO coach to have a weekend alone with her. On top of that if the Johnson’s had/have her on the same “protocol” then she’s probably going to struggle once she leaves them, which is even more sad. The folks she called out was just her being a conduit for the Johnson’s and in 10-20yrs I truly believe she’ll have a different opinion on those brave girls that went public. She’s unfortunately going to struggle to gain much traction as the next big thing as long as she’s still coached and involved with the Johnson’s.
cam Safesport ban both of them from coaching her and any other athlete? It’s what’s ultimately needed.
I wish she could realize now how wrong it was for a 30+ year old married man to impersonate a UO coach to have a weekend alone with her. On top of that if the Johnson’s had/have her on the same “protocol” then she’s probably going to struggle once she leaves them, which is even more sad.
I wish she could realize now how wrong it was for a 30+ year old married man to impersonate a UO coach to have a weekend alone with her. On top of that if the Johnson’s had/have her on the same “protocol” then she’s probably going to struggle once she leaves them, which is even more sad.
That is truly horrible if true.
Where have you been? There is no if. This happened. I’m not a Wiley fan and don’t support her but to the above poster that mentioned her backing out of CU at the last minute- who cares about that? Athletes don’t owe universities sh*t. It’s concerning because maybe she wanted to keep doping but it’s a wild take to think a teenager owes a university anything. They don’t give a sh*t about students. It’s all a business to them. If there are any coaches that hold grudges for athletes reversing their commitment decision then they are pathetic human beings that are on a power trip. Although this wouldn’t surprise me. Most college coaches are f*cking creeps that get off on holding power over young adults that are trying to figure out their lives. Steve Taylor for the university of Richmond was a complete d*ck head back in the day. I look back at him now and just laugh at how pathetic he is. Imagine being a grown adult and intimidating 18-19 year olds?
I struggle to feel bad for her more and more as this drags on and she has clearly chosen to ignore the reality of her situation and only focus on her personal goals.
Even if she keeps on running, her career will be over in 5-15 years. She'll likely have a good 50-75 years on this planet after that. Will it have been worth it?
I still can't believe Nick and Lauren Johnson essentially got away with what they did. At least so far. Maybe we'll get more news on the lawsuit soon.
Maybe she is clean and innocent. That is our process. She ran yesterday. She has a coach. Both she and her coach have many rules and many organizations governing them.
Maybe she is clean and innocent. That is our process. She ran yesterday. She has a coach. Both she and her coach have many rules and many organizations governing them.
I struggle to feel bad for her more and more as this drags on and she has clearly chosen to ignore the reality of her situation and only focus on her personal goals.
Man, she doesn't have an actually support network outside of this mess. Huntington, the town and university, has shaped her world view and she hasn't had the opportunity to get an outside prospective.
Note that the other women in this program that are now suing the university didn't, at least fully, comprehend how bad and messed up things were until they left.