IHSAA Blocks Huntington University From Hosting Semi-State


The Indiana High School Athletic Association revealed on Monday that it is blocking Huntington University from hosting one of the association's critical Semi-State competitions on Oct. 22 following concerning details marring the university's cross country programs, the Indy Star reported.

Last Tuesday, on Oct. 4, the newspaper published a damning investigation into the program's former coach, Nicholas Johnson, and revealed rampant issues dating back years at the program. 

In response to that investigation, the paper is reporting that the IHSA has moved the competition, one of four which qualifies runners to the state championships on Oct. 29 at the Lavern Gibson Championship course in Terre Haute, to Indiana Wesleyan University.

Huntington University has hosted the third Semi-State regional since 2020. 

Following allegations to the program this week, Huntington University administration has placed current head coach Lauren Johnson and assistant Curtis Hines on administrative leave.

Johnson is the wife of Nicholas Johnson, the former head coach of the Huntington cross country program who pled guilty to a felony charge of identity deception involving a child in 2020, stemming from a previous investigation into the coaches behavior.