COACHING STAFF

Jerrid Johansen

Head Coach - Sprints

Personal:   

Coach Johansen teaches science, and began his teaching and coaching careers at PLSHS in 2007. He has coached boys and girls basketball and is the assistant boys cross country coach. His wife, Kristen, heads a research lab at Boys Town National Research Hospital. They have a son, Jake, who is now 2, and a daughter, Wesley, who was born in August of 2020

Years on Staff:  10

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Coach Speak:  Knees up, toes up!

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Fun Fact:  Once ran a couple of miles with ultra-marathon legend, Scott Jurek. 

Why Track?

As the head coach, I love the challenge of taking 60+ athletes, across 17 events, and trying to create a positive environment so that everybody feels welcomed, challenged, and supported.

Jamie Burr

High Jump

Personal:  

Coach Burr is in her third year at Papio South. She competed collegiately in volleyball at Hastings College. At PLSHS, she teaches Biology and Physical Science, and she is the varsity assistant coach of the volleyball team, which won the state title last year, and was runner-up this year.  Her husband, Justin, is a resident at UNMC. 

Years on Staff:  3

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Coach Speak:  Picture Yourself...

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Fun Fact:  She is extremely skilled at catching food in her mouth.

Why Track?

I love track because I get to see athletes succeed individually but at the same time work with their teammates to reach a common goal.

Jeremy Haselhorst

Distance

Personal:   

Coach Haselhorst teaches math and leadership academy, as well as serves as the head girls cross country coach here at South.  Coach Haselhorst’s wife, Karin, is a Young Living Essential Oils distributor and teaches fitness classes.  They have two children, Jackson and Isaac.

Years on Staff:  18

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Coach Speak:  Be Tougher

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Fun Fact:  Has made it a goal to visit every National Park

Why Track?

That our team is comprised of different athletes from different Titan sports and programs coming together as one.  We have students who are in athletics, show choir, cheerleading, the Sapphires, and more.  It is fun to see these different students come together and create great relationships.

Jim Kahm

Shot Put

Personal:   

Coach Kahm teaches Chemistry here at Papio South. He is the former head track coach at Millard South High School. His wife Sarah teaches at Black Elk Elementary in Millard. They have three daughters, Izabella, Olivia, and Madi.

Years on Staff:  10

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Coach Speak:  Focus on what you can control

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Why Track?

 I enjoy watching athletes improve as their season and careers go on.  It is great to see the athletes who decide to embrace hard work benefit from it.

Trent Lyons

Pole Vault

Personal:  

Coach Lyons is the Lead Teacher in Physical Education at Liberty Middle School and is also the activities director.  He was previously the vault coach at Papillion-LV.  He played football at UNO.  His wife Lisa works at HDR.  They have two daughters, Sophia and Ava.

Years on Staff:  10

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Coach Speak:  Be an athlete!

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Fun Fact:  Holds the Nebraska High School Record for career field goals made - 30!

Why Track?

I love when the athletes have success at an event that they have ZERO experience or knowledge about.  Having athletes compete in the State Track Meet; there is no other sporting event that matches Championship Saturday at Burke Stadium.

Sean McLaughlin

Horizontal Jumps

Personal:   

My wife, Heather, and I have been married for 11 years. We have two children: Miles, 5 and Maci, 3.

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Years on Staff:  5

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Coach Speak:  Knees up, toes up!

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Fun Fact:   A great all-around athlete, Coach McLaughlin won the 2001 State High Jump Title

Why Track?

I love how track builds the character of someone. There are no teammates in an individual event to rely on to cover for someone. It's just you. You have to rely on your training and how much effort was put forth to achieve a goal. It isn't about winning or losing, but being able to ask yourself at the end of the day: Did I do MY best? That question scares a lot of people, but my favorite kids that I've ever coached have embraced that question. Those are the kids that will successful in anything they do in life, and it has been my utmost honor to be a small part of their life.

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Matt Peitz

Discus

Personal:   

Coach Peitz teaches Psychology at Papio South. He played football at SDSU. His wife Hiltje works at Liberty Middle School as the band instructor. 

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Years on Staff:  4 

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Coach Speak:  Rotate the lower body first

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Fun Fact:  Coach Peitz is a renowned Seinfeld Trivia aficionado

Why Track?  

I really enjoy the head to head competition involved in track. There is no subjectivity in who is the best, because every bit of success is earned at the meet. 

Jim Simpson

Hurdles

Personal:   

Coach Simpson is a math teacher here at South and also a boys’ assistant basketball coach.  Coach Simpson helped open PLSHS coming from Madison HS.  His wife, Tasha, teaches at PL South and is the girl’s assistant cross country coach.  They have three children Isaac, Molly, and Miles. 

Years on Staff:  14

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Coach Speak:  ATTACK!  SPRINT!

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Fun Fact:  An outstanding track coach, Coach Simpson never competed in the sport.

Why Track?

I love to see athletes put it on the line and compete. I also enjoy the individualized coaching and the relationships that are developed over time.