By Elizabeth Contreras
Josiah Johnson of Midwest City High School embarked on his track journey starting in the sixth grade. He describes his relationship with track and field as a complicated dynamic that has come with its fair share of trials. He said the hardest part about being a student-athlete is questioning, “am I good enough?”
He struggled through recruitment with self-doubt and setbacks. Johnson missed the 2024 track season due to a hamstring injury but came back for his senior year with more ambition and fire than before. He says the lighthearted spirit of his teammates and the ability to approach the sport through a lens of gratitude are what have allowed him to push through. He says, “I practice a lot, multiple hours a day. In the season, it is what I live and breathe.”
Johnson shared his gratefulness to God for the ability to return to the track and compete without injury. Johnson was a state qualifier in the 200-meters, 4×200, and 4×400 this season.
Not only has Johnson proven himself athletically, but he also wrapped up his final year of high school with a 3.9 GPA. His plans after high school are to attend Texas College where his goal is to play football and track and graduate with a degree in finance.
“I just want to help people. Growing up, money was tight,” said Johnson.
Johnson hopes one day to be a CEO, where he can educate and empower individuals through financial hardships, especially in underserved communities. Johnson and his mother are known to give back within their own community by providing meals for the homeless and being involved how and where they can.
Johnson’s generosity and compassion for others reflect his mother’s heart, who he says has been his rock from the beginning and his primary support through his student-athlete career. When asked if he could tell his mom anything, he simply replied “thank you” because no words could articulate his appreciation for her unwavering and unconditional support. Josiah Johnson has not only proven himself as an athlete, but also as a dedicated team player, community member, and more than anything else a devoted son.
