Johnson named Fallbrook High School's female athlete of the year

Michaela Johnson was selected as Fallbrook High School’s female athlete of the year for 2009-10.

“I was really excited to get that,” Johnson said. “It’s a real honor.”

Johnson played only tennis during her senior year but reached both the CIF team finals and the CIF individual doubles finals. She finished the 2009 season with a 41-6 record, including a 24-3 Avocado League mark. Johnson and her sister, Hailey, reached the Avocado League individual doubles finals as well as the CIF individual doubles finals, and both Johnson sisters received first-team Avocado League and first-team CIF honors.

“She was well deserving of that award,” said Fallbrook girls tennis coach Dave Ramirez.

Johnson, who plans to continue her scholastic tennis career at Point Loma Nazarene University, was seven when she took up the sport. “It was more just socially,” she said.

The lifelong Bonsall resident attended Zion Lutheran Elementary School before her four years at Fallbrook High School. She has been playing tennis competitively for the past three years.

“For her to have so much success in a short time, it’s kind of cool. All the hard work is paying off,” Ramirez said.

Johnson spent four years on Fallbrook High School’s varsity and was the Warriors’ Most Valuable Player for doubles both in 2008 and 2009. She was the team captain in 2009. As a junior in 2008, she compiled a 17-1 league record and a 38-2 overall record while taking third place in the league doubles tournament.

“She had wonderful leadership skills,” Ramirez said. “In addition to her success on the court, she really helped a lot of the players.”

Although Johnson did not play other sports at Fallbrook High School, she was a junior lifeguard during her summer seasons. She was also active in church events and involved with the Pink Ribbon Club, which seeks to eradicate breast cancer. Johnson also served as a ball girl and scorekeeper during the Acura Classic professional tennis tournament.

Although Johnson will be on the tennis team at Point Loma Nazarene University, she initially will be a walk-on since no scholarships were available for incoming freshmen. “No one was graduating there,” she said. “Their team was pretty set, but I really want to play there so I’m going to go.”

Point Loma Nazarene was Johnson’s top college choice. “I’ve never met a single person who hasn’t loved Point Loma,” she said.

“I really like the religion,” Johnson said. “I like the private aspect of it.”

The beach-area campus was also a factor in her choice. “I love the area,” she said. “I can surf. I can swim.”

Johnson plans to major in athletic training at Point Loma Nazarene.

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