Tayah Kelley P R/R Jr./So. Myrtle Creek, Ore

a special place

Emerging from a small town without a youth softball program to become the starting shortstop for a nationally ranked team, Katrina Johns’ career has been all about overcoming obstacles

by riley omonaka ’24

For Katrina Johns, a senior with the Linfield University softball team, every day is an opportunity to improve. Coming to Linfield four years ago, Johns had minimal experience under her belt and had already fought off career-ending injuries.

Johns began softball relatively late in life. At 13 years old, she picked the bat up for the first time and never looked back. In her hometown of Naches, Washington, Johns never really had the chance to try softball as a young girl. There were only Little League baseball teams to compete with, but that didn’t stop her from working on her skills with family in the front yard.

“I never really considered playing (softball) until later on down the road,” she says.” After I started, I pretty much instantly fell in love with it and from that point on, I played year-round on different travel ball teams until I graduated.”

Despite her late start, Johns is no stranger to athletics. Prior to developing into an all-conference shortstop, Johns was a regular on the soccer pitch and basketball court. At the ripe age of 9, she was hunting game with her family. Johns loves two things most: family and staying active. That pretty much sums up her hobbies now: Dirt-biking, hiking, working out and spending time with friends and family.

Johns loves the rush of adrenaline that comes with an active lifestyle, but to be where she is today, Johns had to fight. She had to scrap her way through three separate surgeries, any one of which could have ended her career.

“I completely tore my ACL and both my lateral and medial meniscus, all on the same leg,” she says, looking back to high school. “This took away my junior season and essentially caused me to lose offers that I had. I ended up pushing my recovery and coming back early with the hopes that I could rebuild back to the point I was before the injury.

“Fast forward and I was undergoing another surgery the week before I came to college, making my freshman fall ball a struggle to compete.”

Even after return to the softball diamond, there were no guarantee that Johns would see the field. In her small hometown, Johns was an immediate star. At Linfield, Johns found herself playing second fiddle behind AllAmerican Makenna Clizer. In a true Johns fashion, she soaked up all the knowledge she could from the veteran player.

“For two seasons, I was the backup to Makenna, who I attribute most of my success to now. I had to relearn most of my mechanics. My softball I.Q. compared to Makenna’s was absolutely terrible. There was a moment in time when I thought to myself ‘I’m never going to see the field.’ She pretty much taught me what she knew in hopes of helping me become the best player I could be after her,” Johns says.

Johns refused to be a victim of her ego. She let go of her hubris and made immediate improvements as a result.

“Once I showed up here, I was quickly humbled and realized I had a lot of work to do. Compared to the other girls in the program, I was absolutely terrible,” she says. “It took quite the adjustment to realize that I was no longer the best at my position. I wouldn’t be where I am today without that realization.”

No one is harder on Johns than herself, but no one has her tenacity or resilience either. The weight of all her frustrations and mistakes didn’t crush her willpower; it reaffirmed its strength.

“Kat is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever met and it’s been incredible to watch her passion for softball throughout her career as a Wildcat. She is really someone who puts her all into everything she does and I really envy that about her,” says longtime roommate and teammate Katie Phillips. Though this spring is Johns’ fourth year in the program, she has no intention of hanging up her jersey anytime soon. Instead, she plans to utilize her final year of eligibility and return for the 2023 season. After her final hurrah, Johns wants to explore a career in the sports world. As a sport management major, she won’t be straying far from the field and is considering coaching or working with a professional sports organization. “The best part about my major is getting to work in different aspects of sports. Being an athlete, I have always had a fascination with sports and everything that comes with it,” she says. “Being able to immerse myself in the business side of sports and learn more about careers less known in the industry has been eye-opening and exciting.” Johns has overcome a lot to reach where she is now. She has reaffirmed her strength and remains a steadying force and a reliable friend. She loves her team and sport with her whole heart. “Our team is pure fun. We know how to work hard, we support each other, we love being around one another, and we just know how to have a good time. I think it’s hard to put our team into words. ‘Catball’ has a way of holding a special place in your heart, but describing us as a family is about as accurate as it gets.”