Throughout the spring semester, we are honoring our senior student-athletes with a "Senior Salute" series. Today's featured senior is Christian Johnston, a biology major from Sewickley, Pennsylvania. Johnston is a member of the baseball team.

Q: Why did you choose to attend The College of Wooster?
A: The College of Wooster provided me a high-quality education in the biology department and the opportunity to compete at a high level for the Fighting Scots on the baseball team. Wooster has a beautiful campus and great athletic facilities as a NCAA Div. III institution.

Q: What does being a Fighting Scot student-athlete mean to you?
A: At Wooster, student-athletes must possess the dedication to excel in athletics and academics. A Fighting Scot student-athlete is a hard worker who has high expectations for themselves and their teammates.

Q: What are some of your favorite memories as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: My favorite memory at Wooster is dogpiling after winning our NCAA Regional tournament in 2022. My other favorite memories are team dinners, bus trips, and hotel stays. The time spent with my teammates will always stay with me.

Q: What is the best part about being a student-athlete at The College of Wooster?
A: The opportunity to represent Wooster on the field while continuing to play the sport that you love is the best part. There is a great sense of pride that comes from winning games as a Fighting Scot athlete.

Q: What else were you involved with on campus besides your sport?
A: I was a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Wooster Christian Fellowship (WCF), and Athletes Inter-Varsity in my time at Wooster. I also worked as a student trainer in the athletic training room.

Q: Which College of Wooster faculty or staff member has made the greatest impact on you and why?
A: Assistant baseball coach Matthew Johnson has had the greatest impact on me at Wooster. Coach Johnson is a constant motivator and teacher. He is always a positive voice when discussing baseball and life outside of it. Coach Johnson stands as a role model for how to compete in athletics and how to conduct yourself in daily life. I am grateful for the lessons learned from him.

Q: What other people or resources impacted your Wooster experience in a positive way and how did these people and resources set you up to be successful at Wooster?
A: Rachel Novario, one of the assistant athletic trainers, is another person who positively impacted me at Wooster. Her work to keep me healthy and competing was essential, but the attention and care she puts into the athletes she treats kept me optimistic and made me feel valued. Rachel helped me to keep things in perspective and maintain a good mindset when dealing with stresses of school and sport performance. Rachel's positive impact on me was tremendous.

Q: Tell us a bit about your Independent Study project?
A: I am doing a biomechanical analysis of the pitching motion for velocity optimization in Div. III pitchers. I am measuring mechanical variables of the pitching motion to analyze the relationship they have to velocity. I am conducting this research using slow-motion cameras, advanced pitching radar technology, and wearable force sensors on Wooster's pitching staff.

Q: Tell us a bit about something cool you did as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: I worked as a student volunteer in a physical therapy clinic near my home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania over the summer leading up to my senior year. While there, I was able to see firsthand the work of three licensed physical therapists and interact with patients from 11- to over 90-years-old. This was a valuable and rewarding experience for me, as I head toward a career in physical therapy.

Q: Reflecting back on your time at Wooster, what advice would you give your first-year (freshman) self?
A: Keep a positive mindset and know the work you are doing is only going to benefit you in the future. Remember to spend time with those that you enjoy.

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