Campbell Johnson has shown “incredible patience and determination” in her first two years of high school track and field, Lake Region Coach Mark Snow said. 

“Campbell had to sit out last outdoor season due to an injury, but attended daily as our manager. Then, Campbell had to miss the end of the indoor season to another injury. This season, she has continued to be a reliable teammate and has scored in multiple events,” Coach Snow said. 

She placed in the long and triple jumps at the league meet and won the high jump. Campbell is also a regular contributor on the relay. 

“Campbell has a high Track & Field IQ and is very coachable,” Coach Snow added. “She is friendly, helpful and a fierce competitor.”

In recognition of her strong work ethic, determination, commitment and good sportsmanship, Campbell is this week’s Boosters and Hancock Lumber “Player of the Week.” Each week, a Lake Region athlete is recognized for his/her dedication (does more than what is asked), work ethic, coachability and academic good standing. Recipients receive a specially-designed t-shirt, sponsored by Hancock Lumber.

Athlete: Campbell Johnson

What town do you live in: Naples

Year in School: Sophomore

Parents: Scott and Nedda Johnson 

Sports you play: Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor)

Why did you choose Track & Field? I didn’t play a spring sport in middle school so my parents suggested I try running track after they realized that, all of a sudden, I was no longer slow. At the time, I still wasn’t a huge fan of the idea of running for fun, but I’m so glad I decided to give it a try because I fell in love with it!   

What do you enjoy most about Track & Field?  I love the people and the social aspect! I’ve made so many friends and connections through track, not just with my team, but with people from all around the state. I also love being able to have independence in my events while still being on a team and getting to choose how much playing time I get and when.

How has competing in sports changed you as a person? I have Type 1 Diabetes and because of that I’ve had to change the way I think about sports and myself. To be able to compete to my best ability, I have to constantly be aware of my blood sugar, what I eat and when, how much sleep I get, how much recovery time my body needs, and so on. When I don’t take care of myself on my off time, it affects me tremendously while I’m training and competing. So, sports have really helped me strive to be the healthiest, most in control of my disease, version of myself. 

During Covid-19, what was the most difficult adjustment? The most difficult part was definitely not being on a team for a while, and then after that having the whole team dynamic shift when we couldn’t be near each other and had to wear masks. During the height of Covid was the first time I hadn’t been on a team in years and I’ll never take for granted being on one, or the joy it brings me, ever again.  

What is one of your most memorable sports moments? I didn’t really have a good answer for this question until a few days ago. For the last four years, we have been waiting for a specific group of Laker girls to run the 4x400 relay. It mostly hadn’t happened because I had been on and off injured. Finally, earlier this season, we were able to run it together. Our time was good, but could be better, so when we got to States we decided to give it all we had for our last race as a team. I ran a big PR (personal record) and the whole team ran multiple seconds faster than we had been. It was an amazing way to end the season and a race I’ll remember forever.   

What is your most disappointing sports memory? In January this year, I was running a 200-meter race at an indoor track meet. It was only my second time ever competing in high school because I had double knee surgeries in the seasons before. I was coming around the last corner when I felt a pop in my leg. I immediately couldn’t run or even walk and fell with 50 meters to go. It turns out I broke my leg badly and just 20 minutes after qualifying for States in the high jump. I missed the rest of the indoor season and spent months rehabbing and in physical therapy. Even though I was able to compete this outdoor season, it took me weeks to get back to where I was before I broke my leg. It was the hardest injury I’ve ever had to come back from.     

How has sports prepared you for your future? Sports have shown me how strong I am and how I’m capable of anything I set my mind to. They’ve helped me have a better understanding of my mind and body, especially with my Type 1 Diabetes. I will use all of this knowledge, and the skills I’ve received from them, every day in my life. Because of sports, I’m also thinking about going into sports medicine in the future. I’ve had quite a few injuries and even though they suck they’re also really interesting to learn about! 

Name a coach who has made a difference in your life and in what way? Coach Brian Crocket was my basketball coach in sixth and seventh grade and I played on a team for him in eighth grade, as well. He saw my determination and drive to be the best, even when I was only 11, and throughout my short-lived basketball career, he spent so many extra hours coaching me, encouraging me, and helping me be the best athlete I could be. When I made the hard decision to stop playing basketball to run track full time, he told me he would support me as long as I still loved the sport (I do!). I’ve never had a coach more understanding, kind, encouraging, and willing to help me achieve my goals than him.   

What are your future goals? I want to break the Lake Region records for high jump and triple jump. I want to continue to play sports through college and for as long as possible and also be a coach someday. I am interested in becoming a healthcare professional in the future (possibly sports or diabetes related).

Ten years from now, when you look back on your high school sports career, what do you think you will remember most? I think I’ll remember the people, all the friends I’ve made, and the overall experience of being on such a great team the most. I have a long time to do great things and achieve my goals in the sport, but only a couple more years with these amazing people and coaches.