Hometown: Hartland, Wisconsin
Class: Senior
Events: Freestyle/Breaststroke
Notes:
• Two-time First-Team All-Missouri Valley Conference (2012-14)
• Two-time Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete Team (2012-14)
• Member of 2013 MVC Championship 200-yard freestyle relay team (SIU school record)
“…casting all your care upon Him, because He cares about you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
Southern Illinois senior Holly Johnson likes to dive under the surface—in the pool and with her heart. The Hartland, Wis., native leans upon the Lord to hold her up and, as team captain, presses into her younger teammates to grow their athletic gifts while becoming relentless and respectful competitors.
FCA: What do you like about swimming?
HJ: I’ve always loved the water and have been swimming since I was three or four. When I was younger I enjoyed the racing aspect. When you get a little older it’s really nice to have a strong group of friends you can rely on. In high school, we won state three out of my four years, and it was just an awesome form of camaraderie. It’s an individual sport, as a lot of the results are based on yourself, but there’s a whole team full of support backing you up.
FCA: How have you learned to handle the pressure of competing?
HJ: Swimming is kind of cutthroat. You compete against your teammates, against other teams, and it all comes down to a tenth or a hundredth of a second. That can be enough to drive someone crazy.
When I was behind the blocks before a big race a while ago, I thought about how happy and content I was with my team, my friends, and what was going on in my life. I felt so blessed, and it translated really well to my swimming. Ever since then, I’ve put it into God’s hands and let Him take care of swimming.
FCA: What is God teaching you during your time at SIU?
HJ: I joined FCA as a freshman because of other swimmers on the team whom I respected. Our sports chaplain, Roger Lipe, is just an incredible guy who asks the right questions. I’ve learned to be more confident in my faith. When I’m at practice having a bad day, instead of letting it get to me, I start to pray. It’s incredible—I can tell the difference in my mood! I’ve been able to focus on the mental side. In events where I normally wouldn’t think I’d be very good, I’m now swimming with confidence. That’s something I fully attribute to my faith.
FCA: How has God been growing your trust in Him?
HJ: Understanding that He’s not going to let you fall; He knows what He’s doing. It’s allowed me to fall back on faith in my swimming rather than being so independent or relying on other people or my coach. I need to be happy and content with what I have and still understand He has the next step for me all laid out; I just can’t see it yet.
This year I’ve been more open, sharing what I feel with others, hoping they can come to terms with God and rely on Him to help them. Knowing God’s looking out for us and knows what’s going on—it’s so relaxing to think about. It takes so much pressure off athletes when they understand they’re in good hands.
FCA: What does it mean for you to compete for Christ?
HJ: Sports are so freeing. It’s a way He shows us that He’s in our lives. To me, it’s like a win-win on both sides because He can see me and be happy, and I can use my talents the way I should. To compete for Christ means you’re fulfilling what He’s given you—your talents—and using them to your utmost potential. I think He looks down on athletes who are really living through Him and is just so proud. It’s incomparable to anything I’ve experienced before. Someone has given you these talents, and is watching you and wanting you to do well.
FCA Staff Quote:
“Since her arrival on campus, Holly has brought teammates to FCA and has been a valued contributor to our discussions. She is a consistent leader and has been an eager volunteer to speak at area high schools and grade schools, and other community functions.”
-Roger Lipe, Chaplain, Southern Illinois University
–This article appears in the January/February 2015 issue of FCA Magazine. To view the issue in its entirety digitally, click here: Jan/Feb 2015 FCA Mag Digital
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Photos courtesy of Saluki Athletics