Sarasota Athlete of the Week: 03.09.17

Lexi Johns is a junior shortstop at Sarasota High. She's committed to play for Florida International in college. Against Palmetto on March 7, Johns went 3-4 with three RBI and a steal, including a two-RBI double that gave Sarasota the lead, in the Sailors' 8-1 win. 

How long have you played softball?

11 years. My parents (Ryan and Jenna Johns) got me into it. 

What is the appeal of softball to you?

Everything about it, to be honest. I make new friends as I go. I get to be with my team. I just love doing it, I don't know.  

What is your favorite softball memory?

My freshman year, we went to states, so that was pretty cool. 

What is your favorite food?

Can it be two? I like any type of salad and steak. I'm like, addicted to salad. 

What is your favorite subject in school? 

Math. Well, I guess it depends on the math, but I just like solving equations. English and the other ones are kind of boring to me. 

What hobbies do you have?

That's hard, because softball is literally my whole life. That is what I do. After the high school season, I start right up with travel ball. It's basically year-round. I really don't have that much time to do other stuff. 

What is a random fact about you?

Everybody when I was younger (around 5 years old) used to call me 'Soop,' S-O-O-P.  On our little tank top softball jerseys, we had 'Sooperstar' written on it, and one of my coaches shortened it to 'Soop' on mine because it wouldn't fit. Now it has stuck around. My grandpa calls me that, some of my friends and their families, too. I like it. It's kind of funny. Sometimes it's embarrassing, but sometimes it's really funny. 

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

That old quote about how the game is 90 percent mental and the other half is physical. I feel like that is huge. If you're not totally 'in it' in the head, the other half of your game is totally off. If you make an error or strike out or you're just having a bad game and it gets to you mentally, that won't help your team. It will change your team's attitude and probably make you do worse because you keep thinking about it. You just have to shake it off and focus on the next one. 

Have you set any personal goals for yourself this season?

I'm trying to get on base as much as possible, get a high OBP, and I'm trying to steal as many bases as I can. 

Finish this sentence: "Lexi Johns is..."

... A funny person to be around. I make make all of my friends laugh most of the time, and me. I laugh at myself a lot.