Fall Sport Senior Spotlight: Scott Johnson

SCOTT JOHNSON | PARKER, COLO.
CADET SQUADRON 04

IN HIS OWN WORDS:

This summer, I took the History 300 "World History" class online. In this class, we learned and discussed what events and influences helped to contribute in creating a unified "world" history. We analyzed how different activities such as trade, conquest, and the spreading of religious practices aided in the exchange of ideas, goods, and beliefs and allowed for a more interconnected world. Along with taking this class, I returned to USAFA at the end of June along with my teammates so that we could continue to train and build fitness for this 2020 season. Although our training looked different, as we followed the guidelines of social distancing, I was very thankful for the opportunity to run and work hard with my teammates after being separated earlier in March.

I hope to commission into the U.S. Air Force as an Intelligence Officer, however, immediately following graduation, I hope to continue my education by completing a Master's degree program in a field relating to my current undergraduate major of Operations Research. Upon completion of this degree, I hope to compete in the USAF's World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) for two years. After that opportunity, I hope to continue to serve in the U.S. Air Force in the Intelligence career field.

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged me in a variety of ways, however, through these many challenges, I have also learned a great deal about myself and about life. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is making the most out of the opportunities you have. The COVID-19 pandemic had major implications for countless individuals and it took away many opportunities I was looking forward to. Because of this, I learned you cannot expect anything and thus you must make the most of the time and opportunities you have. Also, along those lines, you must continue to keep a positive attitude and focus on what you can control. There is no point in trying to fight something of which you have no control over, but you can control your attitude and the actions you make in the aftermath. Additionally, I have grown closer with my family and friends during this time and I am very thankful to have had them to lean on during this challenging time.

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JUNIOR YEAR | 2019: Competed in four meets...opened the season with a victory at the Air Force Open...clocked a four-mile time of 20:39.0 to win that meet by more than 10 seconds...clocked a season-best 8K time of 24:22.4 to finish as the Falcons' No. 2 runner at the Bill Dellinger Invitational (42nd of 143 runners)...also scored for Air Force at the Nuttycombe Invitational (24:44.7, 122nd)...recorded a 10K time of 32:50.4 at the NCAA Mountain Regional (77th)...earned the team's Character and Leadership Award...academic all-conference selection...Mountain West Scholar-Athlete.

SOPHOMORE YEAR | 2018: Participated in six competitions, including all three postseason meets...posted a career-best 8K time of 24:28.8 at the Nuttycombe Invitational (103rd)...finished 70th out of 234 runners at the Pre-National Invitational (24:51.9)...earned a top-25 finish at the Mountain West Championships (25:32.4, 23rd)...finished 40th out of 115 runners in 10K debut at the NCAA Mountain Regional (30:23.0)...clocked a time of 31:22.3 at the NCAA Championships (179th)...opened the season with a 24th-place time of 15:58.8 at the Wyoming Invitational (5K course)...academic all-conference selection...Mountain West Scholar-Athlete.

FRESHMAN YEAR | 2017: Competed in three meets...earned a top-40 finish at the 127-runner Rocky Mountain Shootout (39th), after posting an 8K time of 27:23.0...finished 35th at the Woody Greeno Invitational (8K time of 27:19.9)...opened the season with a 5K time of 16:14.1 at the Colorado State Invitational...Mountain West Scholar-Athlete.

MAJOR TRACK AND FIELD HIGHLIGHTS: Two-time all-conference selection...finished third in the mile at the 2019 Mountain West Indoor Championships and was a member of the 2020 distance medley relay that finished second...named Mountain West Athlete of the Week after winning the mile at the Air Force Invitational...ran on the 4x1600-meter relay that won the 2018 Drake Relays...ran on two relays that impacted the program's top-three at the 2019 Relays – second-fastest 4x1600-meter time (16:40.31), third-fastest 4x800-meter time (7:30.15).

HIGH SCHOOL: Legend High School...named Athlete of the Year as a senior...three-time MVP of the cross country team (2013, 2014, 2015)...two-time recipient of the cross country team's Titan Award for Team Leadership (2015, 2016)...also received that honor from the track team in 2016...named Underclassmen Athlete of the Year in 2016...served as president of senior class...valedictorian.

PERSONAL: Full name is Scott Andrew Johnson...nickname is "Bambi"...son of Steve and Joy Johnson...has one younger brother, Ryan, who is a sophomore on the Air Force cross country team...majoring in operations research...also earning a minor in French...future plans include serving as an intelligence officer in the Air Force...serving as Operations Flight Commander during the Fall 2020 semester...previously served as Operations Clerk, Athletics Clerk, Element Leader and Squadron Superintendent...named to the Superintendent's List for excellence in military, academic and athletic performance during each of his first six semesters at the Academy...hobbies include playing with crawdads, tailgating for the annual Puppy Bowl, listening to Christmas music all year round and finding the answer to the question, "what is life?"...huge fan of Joey "Jaws" Chestnut...completed an online academic class (History 300) over the summer...has wanted to attend the Air Force Academy since he was six years old...member of Cadet Squadron 04.

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