A seed planted by her high school track coach last spring led Panorama senior Morgan Johnk to sign with a Division I Track and Field program Tuesday morning. A small group of family and classmates watched Johnk sign a letter of intent to compete next spring for the University of Northern Iowa Women’s Track and Field program. Johnk spoke with the Raccoon Valley Radio Network shortly after her signing Tuesday morning and said she was the one who initiated recruiting conversations with UNI. “I actually reached out to UNI first,” Johnk said, “One of the coaches ended up emailing me back and then another (UNI) coach who messaged me on Instagram. He didn’t know that (the other coach) talked to me. I got more in contact with the high jump coach. ”

Panorama head track coach Greg Thompson shared with Raccoon Valley Radio that Johnk’s journey to UNI began at Iowa’s most notable regular-season race last spring. “Last year at Drake Relays, the Drake (University Track) coach came and talked to me and said they were really interested in having Morgan (Johnk) come (to their program),” Thompson said, “Then I planted that seed in Morgan that ‘hey these are Division I coaches that are looking at you.’ I’m going to do anything I can to help you out.”

Thompson added Central College in Pella and Central Missouri State University had interest in Johnk for their track and field program. Johnk’s list of accomplishments on the track is lengthy. She’s a three-time West Central Activites Conference champion in the high jump and 100-meter hurdles. She’s also qualified for 13 events at the Iowa State Track and Field Championships during her high school career. She placed in the top five of the Class 2A High Jump competition each of the past two springs. Johnk was also named to the 2018 Iowa Track Coaches Association All-State Track and Field squad and was the 2018 Iowa Track Coaches Association Individual Pentathlon Champion.