JEFF FIELDER Editor
SIDNEY – MJ Johnstone, a senior at Sidney High School, is this week’s Nspire Today! Female Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. Johnstone is a two-year starter on Sidney’s basketball team, which will compete in this week’s Nebraska Class B state tournament in Lincoln. The Red Raiders play Northwest on Thursday at 9:45 a.m. in a first-round game at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Johnstone is a point guard. Other sports she participates in are cross country and track & field. She’s one of the top pole vaulters in Class B. She won the pole vault at state her freshman year, and she placed in the top eight her sophomore and junior years. She’s also involved in Spanish Club, National Honor Society, and Science Club. Her GPA is 3.95. She’s also a member of the youth group at St. Catherine Church. For being named an athlete of the week, Johnstone will receive a free drink from Scooter’s Coffee, which has locations in Scottsbluff and Alliance. Her parents are Wade and Jamie Johnstone.
Q: Being a senior, how thrilling is it for you to have a chance to go to state again this week?
JOHNSTONE: “It’s really exciting. I’ve been playing basketball with the same girls since fourth grade, so this is something we’ve always wanted to accomplish. Being able [to qualify for state] this year is pretty cool.”
Q: You and your teammates have competed at state before, so how will that experience help this year’s Sidney team?
JOHNSTONE: “Once you get there, everybody is good. But having been there, we know what it’s like. We know what to expect. We have confidence in each other.”
Q: What are your expectations for Sidney this week?
JOHNSTONE: “The last few years, we’ve lost in the first round, so one of our goals this year is to get past the first round.”
Q: What do you think are the strengths of this year’s Sidney team?
JOHNSTONE: “Our team chemistry is really good. We get along well, and we have good guards and posts. We share the ball well, and our defense is really strong.”
Q: How does this year’s Sidney basketball team compare to other basketball teams you’ve played on?
JOHNSTONE: “No one expected this from us this year. We lost our shooters last year, so we had to kind of fill in those weaknesses that we lost. We had to figure out where we could improve and where we could earn those points because we didn’t have those strong shooters anymore. I think we’ve done a really good job of picking it up and sharing the ball and getting everybody on the board.”
Q: What are your thoughts on Sidney’s first-round opponent this week?
JOHNSTONE: “They’re good. They’re going to be tough. I think we match up well with them, though, as far as height and athletic ability.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed your high school basketball career?
JOHNSTONE: “I’ve loved it. The atmosphere in Sidney is really awesome. The girls are so nice, and the coaches have always had our backs. We all get along really well, and the whole community stands behind us, especially since the Bass Pro buyout. It’s really shown how everyone is there for each other and how much we do it for each other.”
Q: Of the sports you compete in, which one is your favorite?
JOHNSTONE: “I love basketball, but track is definitely my favorite. That’s what I’m going to do in college. It’s just something I’ve always enjoyed doing.”
Q: In addition to the pole vault, what other events do you compete in during the track and field season?
JOHNSTONE: “I also compete in the 4×100 relay and the 100 hurdles.”
Q: How excited are you for your senior track and field season?
JOHNSTONE: “It’s kind of been in the back of my mind with everything going on, like making it to state in basketball, but I’m excited for it. It’s my senior year, so I’m going into it feeling like I don’t have anything to lose. I just want to go out and have fun, improve and get ready for college.”
Q: What are your goals for this track and field season?
JOHNSTONE: “I definitely want to make it back to state – hopefully in the pole vault and our relay. As far as the pole vault, I want to clear 12 feet this year.”
Q: What are your plans after you graduate from high school?
JOHNSTONE: “I’ll be on the track team at Minnesota State Mankato. I’ll be a biology major with a pre-med track.”
Q: What does it mean to you to be able to continue your track and field career in college?
JOHNSTONE: “It’s really exciting, and I’m grateful for the opportunity. Since day one, that’s been my goal.”
Q: How did it work out that you ended up deciding to go to Minnesota State Mankato?
JOHNSTONE: “I have family who lives in St. Cloud, so while I was growing up, we would always go there for Christmas. That was always the highlight of my year – I love it there. It’s cold, but I really like the atmosphere there. When I started looking at colleges, that was definitely a place I wanted to look at. When I had an opportunity to visit there and talk to their coach, that was really exciting.”
Q: What is it that you would like to do for a career?
JOHNSTONE: “I would like to work in the pediatric field.”
Q: Are you really excited to start college, or are you a little sad that your high school career is almost over?
JOHNSTONE: “At the beginning of the year, I was so ready [to start college]. I just wanted to graduate and get to college. But now that all the ‘lasts’ are happening, it’s definitely hitting me that high school is almost over. I’m trying to cherish every moment I have left in Sidney with my friends and family.”
Q: Talk about how important school and getting good grades are to you.
JOHNSTONE: “My mom [Jamie] is a teacher, so that’s something that’s always been drilled into me – that school comes first and everything else comes second. So, I’ve always focused on getting good grades, studying and doing the best I can so that in the end it helps me achieve what I want to do in life.”
Q: How challenging has it been to maintain a high GPA while being involved in sports and other activities?
JOHNSTONE: “It’s been tough. You definitely have to learn time management. I’ve taken some tough classes, but the teachers here in Sidney are really helpful, and they’re really nice. They do their best to help you.”
Q: You said your mom is a teacher. What grade does she teach?
JOHNSTONE: “She teaches third grade at a small school [Caliche] about 30 miles south of here. She teaches every subject.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed growing up in Sidney?
JOHNSTONE: “It’s been awesome. I don’t have anything negative to say about Sidney. The people and the community – and just the way the town works – is great.”
Q: Outside of your school activities, what do you like to do for fun?
JOHNSTONE: “I like hanging out with my friends.”
Q: What is your favorite type of music?
JOHNSTONE: “Country.”
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
JOHNSTONE: “One Tree Hill.”
Q: What are your three favorite apps on your cell phone?
JOHNSTONE: “Snapchat, Twitter, and Instagram.”
Q: Who do you think is one of the kindest students at Sidney High School?
JOHNSTONE: “Definitely Sarah Wamsley. She’s a senior. She has a really big heart. She’s always smiling at everyone in the hallways. She’s someone who you always see helping someone else. She’s never focused on herself. She always does her best for the school and everyone else. She never has a negative attitude.”
Q: What is one thing you wish people would do more of?
JOHNSTONE: “Just having more of a caring attitude and helping each other out more.”
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant?
JOHNSTONE: “Runza. I have a lot of good memories there, hanging out with friends.”
Q: What do you like to order there?
JOHNSTONE: “Chicken strips.”
Q: What is the most exciting place you’ve ever traveled to?
JOHNSTONE: “Costa Rica on a school trip.”
Q: Name one person who you feel is a big difference-maker in your community.
JOHNSTONE: “Definitely Donna Wiedeburg. She always puts other people first. She’s at every sports event taking pictures. She always tell you how awesome you are. She also runs a program called Helping Hands for Hometown Heroes. She herself is a veteran, and that’s a big thing in her life. If she hears about a veteran who’s struggling in our community, she sends some kids over there to help. She always makes sure other people are doing good.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
JOHNSTONE: “I have one brother, Treyson. He’s 15. He’s a sophomore.”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Athletes of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, athletes of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865.
For all your insurance needs, visit The Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance, located at 1012 Ave. I in Scottsbluff, or call 308-632-8598.
