Johnson, only collegiate athlete to run under 2:01 in 800 and sub-4:04 in 1,500, will be represented by Ricky Simms and Pace Sports Management and continue to train in coming year with coach Dave Smith in Stillwater while completing her degree

By Todd Grasley for DyeStat

Oklahoma State junior Sinclaire Johnson, the reigning NCAA Division 1 outdoor 1,500-meter champion, announced her decision to turn professional Monday night after a two-month span that established her as one of the rising young mid-distance stars in the United States.

“My running career, thus far, has had several transitions and the most exciting one has arrived sooner than I expected,” Johnson posted on Instagram. “I’m thrilled to announce that I will be pursuing a professional career and forgoing my remaining NCAA eligibility.”

In the fastest NCAA 1,500 final of all-time, Johnson – a 2016 Lake Brantley FL graduate – overcame 2018 winner and Australian star Jessica Hull of Oregon to capture her first national championship in 4:05.98, the second-best performance ever achieved during the collegiate season.

The only athlete to run faster? Fellow Seminole County alumni Jenny Simpson, who ran 3:59.90 in 2009 for Colorado and was one of Johnson’s idols growing up.

Hull decided to forgo her remaining collegiate eligibility June 20 to turn professional, eventually joining the Nike Oregon Project after clocking 4:02.62 on June 30 at the Prefontaine Classic at Stanford University.

Johnson proved she was a true middle-distance threat July 9 with her third-place finish at the Sunset Tour event at Azusa Pacific University. Her time of 2:00.43 met the IAAF World Championship standard, but more importantly showed she could hang with professional athletes Shelby Houlihan (1:59.92) and Kate Grace (1:59.58), who both compete for the Nike Bowerman Track Club.

Johnson followed that up July 27 with a fourth-place finish and personal-best 4:03.72 at the Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, trailing only Houlihan (4:03.18), Simpson (4:03.41) and Nikki Hiltz (4:03.55), but just missing a berth to compete in October at the IAAF World Outdoor Championships.

Johnson concludes her Oklahoma State career as the only collegiate performer to run under 2:01 in the 800 and sub-4:04 in the 1,500.

“I had thought about going pro after NCAAs,” she said. “I was going back and forth with the decision of going back to school or not. It wasn’t until after USAs that I knew for sure this is what I wanted to pursue.”

Johnson has enlisted the services of agent Ricky Simms and the Pace Sports Management team.

Simms’ resume speaks for itself, with elite clients like Mo Farah, Galen Rupp, Matthew Centrowitz and Jordan Hasay, in addition to the best sprinter ever, Usain Bolt.

“He represents some of the best athletes in the world, so that was very attractive to me,” Johnson said. “I felt really comfortable when talking to him and felt like he was someone I could trust. He seemed really organized, passionate and hard-working, which are qualities I possess in myself. So, ultimately, I just felt it was the best match for me.”

Johnson blossomed during her time in Stillwater and had nothing but praise for her time there.

“A heartfelt thanks to my village of support and Oklahoma State University,” Johnson added on Instagram. “You have provided me with all the resources to reach the next level and for that, I’m very grateful.”

While she doesn’t have any meets lined up as of right now, she will remain at Oklahoma State finishing her degree and training under coach Dave Smith for the year. Johnson just took a break from training due to the long season, but plans to move and join a group after the 2020 Olympics.

“I haven’t decided on a shoe sponsor or group yet, but that is something I’m currently working through with Ricky right now,” she said. “This is all still pretty new and I just got back to school. I have to sit down with my coach and figure out a plan going forward.”