Colton Johnson '20 Recruiting Profile

There is only one goal I want to achieve by the end of my athletic career, and that is to fulfill my maximum potential. I would like to look back on my career and appreciate the fact that I pushed myself to the limit and consistently worked hard to improve.   I am proud of my statistics as they show continued progress.  However,  I have more pride in the fact that I persisted through a journey that not only many thought impossible, but often discouraged.   My mom taught me through words and by  example that I can achieve great things by setting goals.  If the goal was too big, I learned the importance of breaking goals down into smaller objectives.  This journey has taught me life lessons that I know will not only make me a successful athlete, but a successful adult.  My story begins as a slow overweight kid who spent his pre-teen years competing in the shot put, discus and javelin.     I started running as a 7th grader to lose weight.  My 7th grade track coach Wayne Wheeler inspired me to try 8th grade x- county.  He told me about a book called Dr. Daniel's running formula and I asked my mom to buy it for me.  After 4 years it still sits next to my bed filled with notes and sticky tabs.   My mom coached track as long as I could remember.   She would often tell her kids that in order to excel, they would have to become a student of their event.  It was through these experiences that I realized that the best way i could help myself and my coaches was to read as much as I could about whatever event I competed in.  I realized that a coach has every kid to worry about and I could help them by helping myself.  I have been blessed with great coaches who will assist me with technical material I have difficulty understanding and because I educate myself, I understand their goals for practice and the value of the training I receive.   Knowledge is power and this gives me the motivation and power to push harder.  Most importantly my own research has given me confidence that I am ready for any  event I'm about to run.  There are many reasons why I love to run and compete.   I want you to know that I love to be a positive influence for my teammates. I love to role model good sportsmanship and I love to lead by example.  My teammates have seen my athletic growth and as a group we have all worked together to push each other to our greatest potential.  As a sophomore, I was chosen as  a captain for the track team due to my work ethic and leadership. As an underclassman, I was honored to be chosen.  No matter what path I decide to take and whatever obstacles I might face, I will always put my best foot forward in order to improve not only myself but the team.