SMSU Athletics

Justin Romero is in his sixth season as an assistant coach with the Southwest Minnesota State indoor and outdoor track and field teams in 2018-19.

Romero has helped coach several All-NSIC performers during his tenure at SMSU. Alex Weis was a two-time NSIC outdoor champion in the shot put in 2016 and 2017, while also earning All-NSIC honors in both the hammer and discus in 2017. Jordan Flinn finished second in the weight throw at the 2017 NSIC Outdoor Championships, while Josh Behning placed third in the shot put at the 2017 NSIC Outdoor Championships.

During the 2018 season, Romero helped SMSU freshman discus thrower Rebecca Manteuffel become the first SMSU female to qualify for the NCAA Championships.
 
In the summer of 2017, Romero was selected to serve as throws and jumps coach for the USA Deaf Track & Field team at the 2017 Summer Deaflympics in Samsun, Turkey. He coached former SMSU athletes Alex Weis at the event and also coached a silver meadlist in the high jump.

Romero came to SMSU after working serving as an assistant track and field coach at Woodward Academy in Woodward, Iowa, in 2013.

A 2012 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, Romero was a four-year standout performer at UNI capping his senior season earning honorable mention All-American honors. As a senior in 2012, he finished 19th at the NCAA Championships in the shot put, while during the course of the season he set a school and Missouri Valley Conference record in the event with a throw of 62' 4.5". Romero, a team captain, broke the UNI school record in the shot put by more than one foot on three separate occasions during the 2012 season.

Romero finished his career twice winning the shot put title at the MVC Indoor Championships and was a two-time runner-up at the MVC Outdoor Championships.

Justin and his wife, April, live in Marshall with son, Duke.