Lancaster, Pa. – (1/13/2026) – Celebrating the remarkable achievements and inspiring journeys of former student-athletes of member institutions, the Atlantic East Conference (AEC) recently continued their Alumni Spotlight Series by catching up with Gwynedd Mercy University's Kevin Johnston '23. Through hard work, resilience, and the values they cultivated during their time as student-athletes, these individuals have exemplified the core principles of the AEC and have brought honor to both the conference and their alma maters.
 
A sports management major, Johnston joined the Gwynedd Mercy University men's cross country (2020-2022) and men's track and field (2020-2023) teams during the COVID-19 cancelled seasons of 2020-2021. During the 2021 cross country season, Johnston placed 25th (34:39.0) at the AEC Men's Cross Country Championship (Oct. 30, 8K) and 140^th (34:22.7) at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) DIII Metro Regional Championship (Nov. 13, 8K). In 2022, Johnston enjoyed 26^th-place finish and personal record of 32:36.0 at the AEC Championship Meet (Oct. 29, 8K) and 151^st-place (35:16.0) run at the NCAA DIII Metro Regional Championship (Nov. 12, 8K).
 
As a member of the Gwynedd Mercy University men's track and field program, Johnston contributed a great junior season to the Griffins' 2021-2022 success with personal bests in the 5,000-Meter (23rd, 20:25.17 @ Frank Colden Invitational on Feb. 5), 3,000-Meter (20th, 11:13.66 @ Monmouth University Winter Invitational on Feb. 11), 1,000-Meter (18th, 3:11.14 @ Fastrack Last Chance Invitational on Feb. 25), 1,500-Meter (71st, 4:49.47 @ Lions' Invitational on Apr. 30), and Decathlon (2nd, 2,148 points @ AEC Championship Meet on May 8). He earned All-AEC Second Team recognition with his second-place finish (2^nd, 2,148.0 points) in the Decathlon. Johnston's equally impressive senior campaign included a personal record in the 800-Meter (42nd, 2:16.60, @Fasttrack Last Chance Invitational on Feb. 24) and Mile (5th, 5:08.46, @ Muhlenberg Indoor Invitational on Jan. 27) races.