Nickito Johnson

Athletic Intern
Office: (417) 328-1790
Fax: (417) 328-2009

Nickito Johnson is currently serving as the athletic intern with the Southwest Baptist University Bearcats, primarily concentrating on the throwing events. During the 2009 season with the Bearcats, Nickito led the throwers under his care to several improvements of their personal bests. Nickito said when it comes coaching track and field, he real enjoys the field events and hurdles, especially the jumping events. He was a former hurdler himself in high school.
           
In 1996, Nickito began his coaching career at Tabernacle Baptist Academy, Freeport Bahamas. In his first season, the Falcons finished seventh out of nine schools that participated in the Grand Bahamas Island Track and Field High School Championships. This was the last time a program he was connected to would finish in the bottom half of the standings. Working with nearly 180 students from grade seven to 12, Nickito and the Falcons finished fourth in 1997, followed by two consecutive third place finishes in 1998 and 1999, and second in 2000. But the real high point of the Falcons program under Nickito’s leadership came in 2001, when the Falcons tied with one of the larger public schools on the island for the Senior Division Title.

Nickito’s program was not only making strides on the local scene, but by 2001 his program was among the top in the nation. He was awarded the opportunity to coach at the national level, when he was named to the 2001 Bahamas Carifta Team as the throwing coach. Under Nickito’s guidance, the number of athletes from Tabernacle named to the national team grew from two in 1999 to four in 2000. In 2001, 10 of the 12 athletes named from Grand Bahamas Island were from the Tabernacle Falcons. Several athletes won bronze medals, while another won a silver medal in the javelin. In addition, under his care, the Falcons would have more than 100 national champions in all disciplines (except distance races) of track and field. In 2001, Nickito had a 4x100 relay team that were first alternates at the Championship of Americas at Penn Relays as well as a 1600m relay that placed second at the same meet.

“I am always reminded of what my program was like when I first got started. I thank God, the parents and most importantly, the athletes for believing in me,” said Nickito.