Track & Field | 3/11/2009 12:49:47 PM

MONMOUTH, Ore. - Mike Johnson of Western Oregon University was named the NCAA Division II West Region Men's Head Coach of the Year for the 2009 indoor season by the U.S. Track & Field Cross Country Coaches' Association, Wednesday (Mar. 11).

In his sixth season at the helm of the Western Oregon track and field program, Johnson, coached the men's team to its second straight Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championship and Zeke Van Patten to an NCAA automatic qualifying standard in the 800m with a time of 1:51.73. He also helped Van Patten and Jeff Long earn provisional qualifying marks; Van Patten in the mile (4:15.84) and the 5000m (14:48.40) and Long in the 800m (1:54.31).

This was the second straight season Johnson has earned the USTFCCCA West Region Coach of the Year award and it is his 26th coach of the year award in his career.

This weekend, Johnson will be coaching Van Patten and Annan Applebee in the 800m at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Houston, Texas, Mar. 13-14. The women's 800m race is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. (cst), with the men's race following at 5:45 p.m. (cst).