Athlete Profile: Jack Johnson

The Bonduel High School cross-country teams have ended the past couple of seasons competing at the state meet. Jack Johnson has been a part of the last two state-qualifying boys teams and is enjoying a strong senior season.

In the final week of the regular season, Johnson placed 13th at the Central Wisconsin Conference Championships, which earned him second team all-conference honors.

In his two state appearances, Johnson has finished as the team’s fourth-best finisher. He’s often been the boys team top finisher this fall.

Q: When did your interest in cross-country begin?

A: I first joined cross-country my sophomore year. I always liked running just for fun, but I thought this would be a good way to compete against other runners.

Q: What is your favorite part about the cross-country season?

A: My favorite part about cross-country would probably be hanging out with all my friends on the team. I also enjoy going to the meets to compete against other runners and just hanging out with the other runners before the meets.

Q: What has cross-country taught you over the years?

A: In the last three years, cross-country has taught me a lot, and it has become more of a second family to me. It taught me that not everything is going to be the same and I can do good in one meet and the next meet one thing could go wrong and I could be at the back of the pack. I think one of the most important things cross-country has taught me by far is sportsmanship and meeting new people.

Q: Talk about what your senior season was like as your team dealt with the new guidelines because of the pandemic.

A: This year has definitely been different than others just because there aren’t as many fans at all the races, and it just changes the intensity of the race. We’ve worked throughout quarantine and we are all doing our best to stay healthy for the season despite of everything that’s happening.

Q: Heading into the final stretch of the season, what are you personally hoping to accomplish?

A: Personally, I hope to place well at regionals and go to sectionals. Then I just hope I can run my best race at sectionals and see where it goes from there.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Bonduel cross-country team?

A: My favorite memories of cross-country are competing at the state meet my sophomore and junior year and just how intense every moment of the meet is. Also, making second team all-conference last week and just being able to hang out with my friends and teammates at the meets.

Q: What are you going to miss most about cross-country?

A: The biggest thing I’m going to miss from cross-country is going to be the team and all the friends I’ve made over the years. Also, I’m going to miss the competition in practice and meets.

Q: Favorite TV show, movie and musical artist?

A: TV show — “How I Met Your Mother.” Movie — “Miracle.” Musical artist — Hardy.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know.

A: Something about myself that not many people know is last year at our conference meet in Marion, I almost got ran over by a deer in the second mile and instead of slowing down I hurdled it. And after that I passed four people because I had so much adrenaline going.

Q: What’s the greatest piece of advice you have ever been told?

A: The best advice I’ve been told is, “Stuff happens.” You can’t change what has already happened; you can only move on from it. You just have to trust that whatever happens, happens for a reason.

Q: What are some things you hope to accomplish after graduating high school?

A: After school, I hope to get a plumbing apprenticeship. Then to go to college for the apprenticeship.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Jack Johnson

Sport: Cross-country

School: Bonduel High School

Year: Senior