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Nicolet National Bank Senior Spotlight: Josie Johnson – West De Pere girls’ tennis, track and field

Josie Johnson
West De Pere High School senior Josie Johnson played varsity tennis for four years and has run track for one. Eric Johnson/Let it Rain Studios

By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor


DE PERE – West De Pere High School senior Josie Johnson has gone through lots of emotions with the start of the school year and playing tennis.

The Phantoms were one of the few area schools/teams to begin with in-person learning five days per week and play its sports.

But because of a rise in COVID-19 cases in the community, the school went to virtual instruction and paused its sports until Oct. 19.

“I was excited to start everything, but then, unfortunately, the school had to pause because of COVID-19,” said Josie, the daughter of Donn and Michelle Johnson. “Time goes by so fast. Many of the things I was looking forward to as a senior are coming and going. I want to make the most of it – at least I did make it through most of my tennis season.”

West De Pere won’t be able to push tennis to the alternate season next spring because it had already played more than 50 percent of its matches this fall.

When the school paused, subsectionals were beginning and the Phantoms couldn’t play.

Johnson, who isn’t sure about her college choice but would like to study chemical engineering/business, has an older brother, Jared, and a younger sister, Grace.

“My dad grew up in Burlington, and my mom is from Fond du Lac,” she said. “Jared played tennis and ran cross country, my sister plays soccer and tennis and my dad also did tennis in high school.”

Johnson played No. 1 doubles the last two seasons but did singles her freshman and sophomore years under head coach Rachel Benn.

“I love Coach Benn,” said Johnson, who also did track and field her sophomore year. “She makes an effort to get to know the whole team. She wants what’s best for us and is competitive. She’s super-nice.”

Johnson’s most memorable tennis moment was the last match she played.

“We were playing New London at our Bay Conference tournament in the semifinals,” she said. “We lost the first set, 6-1 – it was embarrassing. In the second set, we beat them, 6-2. In the tiebreaker, things kept switching back and forth, but we pulled it out, 11-9.”

Johnson’s favorite professional tennis player is Naomi Osaka, who recently won the U.S. Open title.

“She’s classy and promotes a good message,” she said. “When she played at the U.S. Open, she wore different masks to promote social justice. If I could win any professional tournament, I’d pick Wimbledon because it’s unique being played on grass.”

Johnson said her tennis skills haven’t translated to the pingpong table or pickleball court.

“I haven’t tried pickleball, but I will say, I’m not a good pingpong player,” she said. “It’s frustrating because every good tennis player I know is also an excellent ping pong player – I’m terrible.”

Johnson, who describes herself as hard-working, adventurous and caring, likes to stay active, try new things and spend time with her friends and family.

She also likes Greek gyro sandwiches, the color yellow, the movie “10 Things I Hate About You,” the phone app Instagram, hip-hop music and the month of November.

“Fall is my favorite season,” said Johnson. “I like the transition from fall to winter and the colder weather.”

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