Justin Simpson Biography

Oak Glen High / West Virginia University / Northern Arizona University

Submitted by Mike McMillion

Justin was born on March 17th, 1984 in Los Angeles, California. The son of John and Terri Simpson. He has an older brother named Travis, and a twin named Josh who now runs professionally. Justin participated in soccer as a youngster. He started running track and field when he was in the 7th grade. His school did not have cross country in Junior High, but this became an opportunity when he started his freshman year of high school.

The reason he started running is similar to why many runners begin to run, he was not the fastest kid nor the biggest kid, so the "popular" sports seemed to be out of his reach. He was on the 4x200 relay team and ran the 800m and 1,600m. His first 1,600m in 7th grade he broke the Junior High School Record (5:17) and was told that time was pretty good. He went on to 8th grade and ran 5:07 and immediately had one dream that summer; to break 5 minutes his freshmen year in high school.

Justin ran track and cross country at Oak Glen High School. His track and field coach in high school was Mr. Wells and his cross country coach was Mr. Cekinovich. His freshmen year, he ran 4:40 in the 1,600m and 9:59 in the 3,200m and also placed 12th at the state meet in cross country, so he was completely hooked at that time.

Justin’s junior year, his mileage averaged in the mid 40’s, while his senior year he averaged in the 60’s. He won the West Virginia High School AA-A boys State Cross Country Championship as a junior (2001) and a senior (2002). In track, he won the AA-A boys 3,200 meter run at the 2002 West Virginia State Track & Field Championship in a time of 9:29.09.

On November 30th, 2002, he finished seventh at the Foot Locker South Regional Championship at McAlpine Greenway Park, Charlotte, NC in a time of 15:06.09. He was one of five West Virginia runners to ever qualify for the Foot Locker National Championship. Steve Taylor of St. Marys did it in 1981 and 1982, while Brian Redman of Keyser also qualified in 1982. Mikey Cox of Athens qualified in 1994, while Oak Glen’s Justin Simpson (2002) and Morgantown’s Cody Pelliccioni (2010) are the most recent to race in the national event.

To date, Justin has the second fastest All-Time Foot Locker South Regional performance for West Virginia runners.

On December 14th, 2002, he finished twenty-third at the Foot Locker National Championship, which was held at Balboa Park, San Diego, CA in 15:40.5. While racing at Foot Locker Nationals, Simpson got to race against some future American record-holders – Chris Solinsky and Galen Rupp.

After his huge races at Foot Locker he signed a scholarship at West Virginia University.

Despite having his sport cut by West Virginia University in the spring of 2003, he went on to pursue a running career at another college.

Twins Justin and Josh Simpson made the trek out West, transferring to Northern Arizona University.

As a freshman, he saw limited action due to an injury. He tore his right Achilles which took him out for almost a year. His injury made him want to leave NAU and return to WVU.

“To be honest, after I ran at NAU I was never as focused as I was in high school. I did run faster times as a post collegiate (8:35 3k, 14:45 5k, 1:08.41 half-marathon), but would have a good half year of running and then take a break that was always way to long. I was never able to keep the drive going to reach my full potential, which ended up being just fine with me. I have always loved running and still do to this day as I coach athletes in West Virginia.” Said Simpson.

Justin continues to have success at running road races and Foot Locker open meets. In 2011, he earned third place and First Team All-South honors in the Men’s Open Race at the Foot Locker South Regional, while crossing the finish line in 15:16. His favorite distance is the half-marathon. “It is a race that requires great endurance and strength, but is still short enough that speed is a factor.” Said Simpson.

He currently resides in Morgantown, West Virginia and is the Head Boys Distance Coach at WV Flyers. He studied Athletic Coaching Education at West Virginia University.

High School Accomplishments:

1,600 Meter Run:

05/25/2001 - West Virginia State Championships placed 3rd (4:31.94)

3,200 Meter Run:

05/24/2002 - West Virginia State Championships placed 1st (9:29.09)

05/25/2001 - West Virginia State Championships placed 2nd (9:44.02)

05/26/2000 - West Virginia State Championships placed 6th (10:04.54)

5,000 Meter Run:

11/02/2002 - West Virginia State XC Championships placed 1st (15:21.00)

10/27/2001 - West Virginia State XC Championships placed 1st (16:54.40)

10/28/2000 - West Virginia State XC Championships placed 2nd (17:53.10)

10/30/1999 - West Virginia State XC Championships placed 12th (17:32.88)

Post-Season (5,000 Meter Run):

12/14/2002 Footlocker Nationals placed 23rd (15:40.50)

11/30/2002 Foot Locker South Regional placed 7th (15:06.09)

11/24/2001 Foot Locker South Regional placed 27th (15:30.76)

11/25/2000 Foot Locker South Regional placed 67th (16:23.00)

High School Personal Bests: 1,600 Meter Run (4:23.10); 3,200 Meter Run (9:20.00); 5,000 Meter Run (CC - 15:06.09)