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Show •N E W S- Spanish Fork B2 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 2007 Covering what matters most Chad Carter / Spanish Fork News MAJOR HOPS: Above and below, Garrett Johnson was a key factor in the succes of the '06-07 boys basketball team. Floyd Tippet ts / Spanish Fork News SIBLING RIVALRY: Above, Nachelle takes the lead to finish first in the 400m at state, with Natalie close behind. The girls went 1-2 again in the 200m, this time with Natalie in front, below. Top Utah athlete: From STEWART • B l David Davis / Spanish Fork News Johnson honored: From GARRETT • B l school year. Johnson is the first SFHS athlete to garner the Utah County Athlete of the Year Award. As a senior, Johnson displayed great athleticism as he proved to be a key contributor in his teams' overall success. Even though he only began playing football as a junior, SF benefited from Johnson's aggressive style and versatile skiils. On defense, he used his speed, hops and hard-hitting ability to make plays, batting down the pass and making gamesaving tackles. On offense, Johnson could be seen going airborne over defenders for a Robles pass even in the middle of traffic. He was recognized as a sure-handed wide receiver and even carried some kicking duties. After football season, Johnson turned into a gym rat. He boosted the hoops squad with an excellent al 1-around performance. Johnson, aka Major Hops, thrilled fans with soaring layups, jump shots, rebounds and dominating swats. His overall hustle was a key element as he helped carry the Dons into the semi-finals of the 5A State basketball tournament. Fans quite vividly recollect Major Hops sinking two gigantic free-throws with only eight seconds left in regulation. Because of his nerves of steel, the Dons were able to pull out the win in 2OT. Johnson looks back on that game as a personal highlight of his senior year. "It would probably have to be those free-throws in the Northridge game and the feeling our team had by making it to the semi-finals," he said. With respect to the charity shots, Johnson wasn't aware that his team was only down by two. "I actually didn't know it would tie the game," he said with a chuckle. Johnson talked about his initial reaction to being recognized as the best Utah County high school athlete. "I didn't have any idea," he said. "I thought they might let you know first. But I opened the paper and I thought, 'Whoa! That's kind of cool!" SFHS head football coach Matt Christensen said Johnson was a perfect choice for this award. "I can't think of anybody more deserving," Christensen said. "He is a poster boy type of kid for your program and he always gave 100 percent on the field and in the weight room." Christensen said Johnson had a knack for making plays, especially on defense. "He hit hard and was a physical player. Hehadseveral interceptions for us as a free safety, and he even returned a couple for touchdowns," said Christensen. Mark Bailey, SFHS head basketball coach, also had plenty of praise for his star forward. "I think this award was very warranted," said Bailey. "He has great character and is everything you'd ever want in an athlete or player." Bailey said that Johnson's great work ethic and determination allowed him to be a complete player. "We usually stuck him on our opponent's best player because he's a great athlete," he said. "He always had a great attitude and led by example. He did all the little things to make your team better." Johnson has no scholarship offers but mentioned that he may want to play college football when he returns home from an LDS mission. With the showers of compliments from his former coaches, it sounds like he could be a coach's dream. She had the chance to participate with one of the other finalists on Utah's 4x800 team, which set a meet record at this year's Southwest Invitational in New Mexico. Nachelle's twin sister, Natalie, also helped the Utah team to their first-ever top finish at the invitational, participating on the 4x400 relay team, which also set a meet record. While Nachelle expressed surprise at winning the Gatorade award, her coaches didn't. u It was no surprise at all," said Thompson. Coach Boyack said that both Nachelle and Natalie are following championship could also be in the cards for these speedy seniors, who won all of the sprint events to propel Spanish Fork to a 42-point trouncing of last year's state champ, Davis. Nachelle won the 400m and 800m events this year, while Natalie won the 100m and 200m races. The girls also assisted SF to victories in the 4xl00m (Natalie) and 4x400m (Nachelle) relays. The twins will also spend the coming months sorting Nachelle Stewart through scholarship offers from various universities. summer training program to Illinois. Florida, Utah State prepare for their senior year. and TCU have already Some of Nachelle's goals contacted the girls since for the upcoming school July 1, when they were year include achieving new officially eligible for personal records in all of recruitment according to her events. Another state NCAA rules. |