Athlete of the Week: Michelle Johnston, Alter High School

Michelle Johnston

Michelle Johnston

Name: Michelle Johnston

School: Alter

Grade: Senior

Age: 17

Sports: Cross-country and track

Claim to fame/honors: Has lettered in four varsity sports, including volleyball and softball; first-year cross-country runner as senior; ran first meet after recovering from a six-week injury and finished in the top 14 runners; as a first-year track runner last year, placed sixth in the 4x800 relay at the state meet

Bet you didn’t know … I am the oldest of seven children; I have four brothers and two sisters

Words you live by: Enjoy every second of your life and live it to the fullest

Toughest opponent: Chagrin Falls in track

Biggest influence: God and my parents

Match-day rituals: I eat peanut butter toast, listen to music, and pray before my race

What’s on your bedroom walls: Pictures of my family and friends

When I’m bored I like to … Bake cookies

Favorite movie: Finding Dory

Person who would play you in a movie: Jennifer Lawrence

Favorite TV show: Survivor

Favorite musical artist: Charlie Puth

I can’t live without: Toast and my iPhone

I can live without: Getting injured

Favorite book: Me Before You

Favorite home-cooked meal: Ham tetrazzini

Favorite restaurant: The Cheesecake Factory

Favorite smell: Coffee

Favorite cereal: Lucky Charms

Store where you’d like a shopping spree: Dick’s Sporting Goods

Vegetable you won’t eat: Olives

I’d love to trade places for a day with … Taylor Swift

Whose mind would you like to read? My 2-year-old sister who can’t talk yet

Place where you’d love to travel? Paris

Talent you’d like to have? Doing the splits

Favorite school subjects: Science and math

Favorite athlete: Ezekiel Elliott

Favorite team: Green Bay Packers

Favorite Olympic sport: Beach volleyball

Something in the world I’d like to change: World peace and happiness

Favorite sports moment: Running the state 4x800 relay at Jesse Owens Stadium

Favorite junk food: Chocolate

Best thing about cross country: Making new friends, staying fit, and persevering throughout the race

In 10 years, I hope to be … a pharmacist

Nominate an Athlete of the Week: Send an email to freelance writer Dave Lamb at d_lamb@msn.com. Please include the athlete’s name, school, sport and a phone number or email address where we can reach that athlete. Please include Athlete of the Week in the subject line.

About the Author