BEAUMONT, Texas — During this difficult time it can be tough to find good news, but that changed Wednesday night when Hardin-Jefferson graduate Caitlyn Johnson was named IBMA Collegiate Bowler of the Year and NCBCA MVP for the 2019-20 season while also earning First Team All-America honors.
"I was with my mom and dad and my grandma, and they didn't get to experience that with me the first time when I was at the awards banquet. So it was really cool experiencing that with them at home, even though it was a little weird. Not really what we expect, but it was really cool getting to experience that moment of, cool I did it!"
Johnson, who was also a member of the Junior Teams USA 2018 World Championship and an individual silver medalist, averaged just over a 210 for the season..
Unfortunately she had her senior year at Webber International in Florida cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic
"You know it's heartbreaking. You get the announcement when you're sitting at home with the family and you're not there to share the moment with your team. The same people that you worked so hard with all season, all year long. And your coaches. And they're not there with you. You get a text. You get a phone call, but not there in that moment and don't get a chance to compete for a national championship, to compete for a ring and a trophy. It's definitely bittersweet. You know it's the next chapter. It's still life goes on as it normally would be, but it's heartbreaking because that's not how it was supposed to go, you know. It's just not the way it was supposed to be."
While losing her senior year can never replaced, winning the Collegiate Bowler of The Year served as bit of silver lining.
"Yes it was. It definitely was. You know I got that award my sophomore year and my team didn't make it to nationals, so I had flown to Nebraska to get the award individually. I was by myself. I was with the guys team, but I wasn't with my girls. So I flew with them and I was sitting in the back with the parents and I get the award and the first thing I thought of was I did this for you guys. Even though we didn't make it to nationals this was for you. And the same thing goes for this year. We didn't have our postseason and I got the award. And it's all because of them. They've pushed me all season long to be a better person, better bowler and just work hard every single down. And if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have the awards that I've gotten."
