Johnson Blended Solid Character and Straight Priorities With All-American Talent

For All-American Kyria Johnson, her final season as a member of the Covenant College Lady Scot's soccer team may not appear to have ended in storybook fashion. After finishing 13-4-3, 15-4, and 10-6-3 in her previous three seasons, the team finished 2008 with a solid 10-7-2 record overall, but were runners-up to King College in the AAC finals after losing 2-1 in a hard fought game. There was no national tournament appearance, no championship, and for several seniors, including the starting center back Johnson, it was the end of an era, as they had played their last game in a Covenant jersey.

To view this season as a hard fought year with no end reward, though, would be to view it improperly. According to Johnson, it was a year full of accomplishments, both on and off the field. “We didn't have the most 'successful' season in terms of wins and losses, but our team grew closer to God and closer to each other than I've ever experienced.” She said. “The season was full of highs and lows but I've never so clearly felt the hand of God in all of it.”

Obviously, seasons like this don't just happen by chance. They require an act of God accompanied with good leadership, strong character, and hard work from the entire team. It also takes people on the team who are willing to make sure that each one of these is carried out, a role which Johnson and the other seniors accepted. “What I loved most about the leadership on this team was how much of a group effort it was. There were seven seniors and each one really invested in the team and used her gifts for the sake of her teammates. Our roles were fluid and changed when the situation called for it.” As for her specific role, Johnson played the more serious type, making sure the team was ready for the tasks that lied ahead of them, and that they were ready to take care of business come game time. “Generally, I was probably known as the serious one who got the team down to business, which is why I really needed the other seniors to balance me out with their comic relief, spiritual leadership, and hearts of service.”

To assume Kyria was all business, though, would be a mistake. After all, the All-Conference and Academic All-American senior is also the lone women's nominee for the AAC Champion of Character award as voted on by fellow coaches and players. Amidst a group of individuals whom she felt were equally deserving of the award, Kyria maintained a humble, positive, and grateful attitude when discussing the nomination. “There have been many people who have helped me as an athlete. My high school coach Jim Rowe, Coach Duble and Coach Ezell, and all of my teammates throughout my years at Covenant have helped me realize the importance of well-ordered priorities. Being an athlete is part of my identity, but it is not who I am in and of itself. Other things in life are much more important, like my walk with the Lord and the development of [my] character.”

Indeed, this is the proper attitude to have as she moves on in her life and career. Although she doesn't have definite plans for the near future, she hopes to one day show her character on the mission field by translating the Bible overseas, and she hopes her experience of playing soccer at Covenant College with the right mindset has prepared her for this. “The times I will never forget are the games on Scotland Yard on those crisp fall days when the leaves were changing, the sun was shining, the bagpipes were playing, the crowd was cheering, and our team was 'clicking' on the field. Those were the times that made all the hard training worth it. These times here at Covenant have prepared me for the future by teaching me what it looks like to be part of a body that loves, challenges, and uplifts one another towards a common goal of glorifying Christ, and I can take that with me to wherever God calls me next.”