2001 Luther College runner Johanna Olson loses her fight with brain cancer

2001 Luther College graduate Johanna Olson died Thursday from complications due to a brain tumor.

Olson was a three-time Iowa Conference MVP, three-time all-regional performer including two individual region titles, multiple school records, several time conference champion, seven-time All-American, three-time academic All-American and an NCAA Post Graduate Scholar.

During the 2000 cross country season, she never lost a race and helped lead Luther to a third place finish at the 2000 NCAA III National Championships, while capturing her first individual title.

Johanna was first diagnosed with a brain tumor in the fall of her freshman year one week after finishing second at the IIAC championships and leading her team to a title.  She underwent surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible. Only one month elapsed before Johanna began to run again, starting her journey back to being one of the conference's best female runners.

After missing her sophomore cross country season due to a re-growth of the tumor and daily radiation treatments at the Mayo Clinic, Johanna began one of the most notable comebacks to running ever achieved by a collegiate athlete. In her second full season as a cross country runner, Johanna led her team to another conference championship and ended her season as an All-American leading her team to a 15th place finish at the National Championships. In the spring of 2001, Johanna was presented the prestigious Honda Inspiration Award, the Lutheran Brotherhood Athlete of the Year, and the Mondo National Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year awards.

Olson maintained a blog, discussing her battle with brain cancer.  Youcan visit it at http://johannaolson.blogspot.com/