AOTW: Oakland Christian’s Johnston signs with Grace College
CENTER OF ATTRACTION: Auburn Hills Oakland Christian senior Darcy Johnston (front row, center) is surrounded by multiple high school and club coaches, along with Oakland Christian administrators, at her recent signing ceremony for Grace College (Ind.) for soccer. Courtesy Photo | Oakland Christian
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
As a three-sport athlete, Darcy Johnston has been around the block playing at both the high school and club circuit. It has paid off for the Auburn Hills Oakland Christian senior.
Johnston, of Rochester Hills, signed a letter-of-intent this month to play soccer at NAIA member Grace College in Winona Lake, Ind. Johnston also plays volleyball and basketball at Oakland Christian and is expected to be her school’s top athlete in all three sports in 2011-12.
“I chose Grace because it gives me an opportunity to get a great education and play for a great soccer program all at a Christ-centered college,” said Johnston in a statement. “I want to do everything I can to build upon what Coach (Michael) Voss has started. I hope to be able to help the team be a national power and be a good teammate.”
Johnston, a 5-foot-11 center midfielder who will graduate from Oakland Christian in 2012, has become one of Michigan’s premier players in her three high school seasons. She signed early with Grace College early because it is an NAIA School and not under NCAA restrictions for various signing periods.
Johnston has earned All-MIAC Blue Division honors all three years for soccer and is a three-time All-State Honorable Mention honoree in Division 4. She has also earned All-District, All-Region and All-Area Second Team status as a junior and was also All-district and All-Region as both a sophomore and freshman as well. Johnston also led her team in scoring all three seasons and was named team captain for her senior campaign.
“I am very excited Darcy has joined the Grace family,” said Grace women’s soccer head coach Michael Voss. “Darcy’s passion and work ethic the past two years have set her apart. Darcy is technically sound, plays at speed, hits the back of the net and finds creative ways for her teammates to score.
“She makes a fantastic addition to our possession attacking football style here at Grace,” continued Voss. “Her desire to put Christ first will drive her to succeed. I am pleased to welcome Darcy and the Johnston family to Grace soccer.”
Johnston has also thrived on the volleyball court, leading her team in blocks, kills and kill percentage her junior year for a state-ranked team. She is a two-time All-MIAC Blue Division player and was also named to the Class D All-State Second Team.
On the hardwood, Johnston earned All-District First Team and second-team All-MIAC Blue Division honors in two seasons of high school basketball and will return for her senior season after taking off her junior year.
Academically, she received the President’s National Letter of Excellence Award and is a member of the National Honor Society. She plans on majoring in engineering at Grace.
Johston’s older sister, Dana Johnston, a 2010 Oakland Christian graduate and a three-sport standout, is currently a volleyball player at Grace College.
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Category: Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, BWW Athlete of the Week, Campus Clips, Colleges / Other, High School
