Swimming ends up serving Johnson well

Warren senior swimmer Andrew Johnson has serious goals.

His dad, a lieutenant colonel in the Army, is serving in Afghanistan, and Johnson would like to make the military his career. He is eagerly awaiting word about whether he will be accepted into the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, one of the five U.S. service academies.

While Johnson has lofty goals, he also knows the importance of fun. Just ask his teammates.

"His jokes make us laugh every day," senior co-captain Ben Abejuela said. "He comes up with hilarious stuff that is off the cuff. He brings a lot of joy to our team."

Added junior Karter Gagliardo: "The kid is great. He likes to have fun and has a witty sense of humor. He makes everyone laugh."

Johnson knows that the daily grind of swimming can wear on people.

"I like to lighten up the mood and have a good time," Johnson said.

Before his father left for Afghanistan, he had the chance to attend several of the Blue Devils' meets.

"He's always had an interest in my swimming," Johnson said. "He's supportive and motivating."

Johnson communicates with his dad frequently by e-mail, and they talk on the phone about once a week.

"I'm really proud of my dad and what he's doing for the country," Johnson said. "He's one of the reasons I want to go into the Coast Guard."

While Johnson has been clear about his career path for some time, his thoughts about swimming were cloudier. He was an avid and dedicated youth swimmer. When he was 12, he placed first in the 50-yard breaststroke in a New York state age group meet.

But after a coaching transition at his club, he elected to take a hiatus from swimming. He did not swim for most of the next three years.

When his family moved to Gurnee prior to his sophomore year, he decided to return to the water. The wrinkle? He concentrated on diving.

"I wanted to be in the water, but swimming can consume your life," he said.

As a junior, he started off as a diver but turned heads when he placed first in the 100 butterfly in a dual meet against Libertyville. Pretty soon, his focus shifted back to swimming.

Swimming served as a way of refocusing him.

"I was sitting on the couch and being a bum," he said. "I had to start swimming because my lifestyle was deteriorating."

Over the last year, the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder has whittled 15 pounds off his frame.

"Taco Bell was my weakness and I've only had it once throughout the whole swim season," Johnson said. "I'm having a salad a day and eating healthy. Losing weight has helped me get faster and quicker in the water."

Johnson is tapering this week for the North Suburban Conference Meet, which will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Vernon Hills. He is expected to be an alternate at the sectional meet.

With times of 1:09.23 in the 100-yard breaststroke and 1:04.63 in the 100 fly, Johnson has made a major contribution for the Blue Devils, considering his return to full-time swimming came less than a year ago.

"His speed has picked up tremendously," coach Chris Bertana said. "He has a fun-loving personality, but he works very hard and is somewhat of a perfectionist."

Qualities that will no doubt serve him well at the Coast Guard Academy and beyond.