Johnston Athletics Director, Joe Nelson, updated the Club on activities at Johnston High School. He is relatively new to the district, he has been with the District since last fall.
Softball and basketball teams went to state tournaments last season. The girls Cross Country team lost the State Finals by a “toenail” photo finish. The team distinguished themselves by sending a letter of congratulations to the winning team, Southeast Polk. Joe spoke about Carrie Nenap who is the first student athlete from Johnston High to win a state title in an individual sport. She won the girls singles state tennis tournament.
Joe introduced Justin Lewis who coaches the fishing club. The fishing club has grown exponentially in participation. The club participates in tournaments and took 3rd in the state tournament, missing second by 0.01 lbs. The club members are highly motivated and dedicated. The club will be getting its own tournament fishing boat. Justin is planning a fishing camp for next summer and already has 700 registrants.
The high school has a one acre pond which makes for unique opportunities to tie many thing together. The fishing club uses it for fishing but it provides a lab for science students to study many aspects of conservation, biology, animal behavior, etc.
Joe reported that the boys basketball team is building as they lost five seniors, the girls team is returning three division one recruits, and wrestling will have six place winners back.
He was pleased that there are over 1,000 students involved in extracurricular activities and they are working to find ways to make activities available to all students regardless of their individual circumstances. Students are encouraged to participate in more than one sport instead of specializing which is better for the student. There is also a possibility that the wrestling team may be traveling to Kosovo next summer to participate in wresting activities.