Johnson's title at Dutch Open leads to A-R-C Runner of the Week award

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Fresh off his second title of the year, James Johnson's performance at the Dutch Open earned the sophomore the American Rivers Conference Runner of the Week award.

Winner of the Les Duke Invitational and the Dutch Open, Johnson went back-and-forth with Central's top runner Jack Brown Jr. on Friday night. The two came down the stretch nearly tied before Johnson managed to pull out the win by less than a second.

Johnson became the first Storm this season to break the 26-minute mark in an 8k, finishing with a time of 25:57.3 minutes. The time also marked a new career-best for the sophomore, besting his time set just two weeks ago at the Les Duke Invitational.

The award marks the first for a Simpson cross country runner this season, and the eighth Simpson athlete honored this year to date.

2025-26 PERFORMER OF THE WEEK HONOREES
CJ Hangartner, Football (9/29/25)
Aiden Lanier, Football (9/29/25)
Jada Schmidt, Women's Volleyball (9/29/25)
Elle Street, Women's Soccer (9/29/25)
James Johnson, Men's Cross Country (9/29/25)
Morgan DenBeste, Women's Volleyball (9/22/25*)
Peyton Mitchell, Women's Volleyball (9/22/25)
MJ Burks, Football (9/8/25*)
*also named A-R-C Athlete of the Week