Pastorius leaps to finish By Drew Mogavero, Staff Intern Earning varsity letters in three sports is the goal of many high school athletes. But for senior Johnny Pastorius, who has played golf, basketball and track, three is not enough. This year he is trying to add a fourth sport to his portfolio by trying out for volleyball. Pastorius has always had a love for sports, playing in city recreational leagues and later joining travel teams. This love only increased when he was eight years old and he had open heart surgery due to an infection in his heart. From that day on he always had to overcome a great challenge, not being as strong as the rest of his peers. “Seven months after my heart surgery I did a 5K for Joe DiMaggio (Hospital),” Pastorius said. “I placed top 10 in
the kids category. The run is now a yearly thing, and I am a spokesman and role model for kids that were just like me.” The results so far belie the challenges he had to overcome. Pastorius was the team’s number four golfer at districts and carded a low nine-hole score of 44. He also had a triple-double for the basketball team at an away game. The success came even when during basketball season Pastorius struggled with a foot injury. “Constantly staying in shape and healthy is the biggest thing I (can) do,” Pastorius said. “Injuries are the hardest thing to stay away from since basketball is such a contact sport.” Pastorius’ athletic success parallels his academics with a 3.3 GPA. “School is my number one
priority, so whenever I get free time, whether it’s at home or at school, I try to knock out my homework,” Pastorius said. “Freshman through junior year I would use my study hall to do most of my work. It’s also really challenging having practice anywhere from 4-8 sometimes even 9 and then you still have to get home and finish projects or study for a test.” For Pastorius, there is no off-season for sports. “In the off-season I’m working out during the week, playing golf with friends, going to the Pompano courts to hoop with different people and running with my step brother who is a runner as well,” Pastorius said. Track is now on the clock and Pastorius is training hard. According to track Coach
Senior John Pastorius goes up for a shot against Cooper City during the winter basketball season.
14 | Sports < February 2022 > @TornadoTimes
Thomas Didymus, Pastorius is ranked number three in the region for high jump, looking to build on last season’s personal record of 1.77 meters (5 feet, 9 5/8 inches), set at last year’s district meet. During track season, Pastorius is also playing volleyball. “I’m just doing it ’cause last year I almost had a season ending injury in track, so by doing multiple sports I’m stretching out,” Pastorius said. “I also enjoy it as it is a lot of fun.” As his high school career comes to an end, he is waiting to hear back from a few schools including Florida Atlantic University and the University of Central Florida. As of now he doesn’t plan on playing any sports in college, but if the opportunity comes he will take the chance.
PHOTO BY BRODY BERRIOS
