Gettysburg College Athletics

Denise Johnson helped lay the groundwork for the women’s track and field program at Gettysburg.
 
Johnson took the lead role in developing a successful tradition in the throwing events during the first four years of the track program’s existence, particularly in the javelin. She won the javelin in every competition she entered during her freshman season, including capturing the Middle Atlantic Conference title for the first time.
 
Johnson defended her MAC title in 1985 before raising the bar the following season. In 1986, she became the first women’s track and field athlete to qualify for the NCAA Division III Championships after setting the school record in the javelin at 139 feet, two inches. She placed 10th overall at the national meet.
 
Johnson closed her career by helping the Bullets to an 8-1 dual meet record and a third-place finish at the conference meet in 1987. She led the team in the javelin for the fourth consecutive season.
 
A native of Martinsburg, Pa., Johnson graduated from Gettysburg with degrees in management and Spanish.