Shiner
Shiner Catholic School

St. Paul athletics: Johnson wins 2021-22 2A Male Athlete of Year

  • Zak Johnson is the TAPPS 2A Male Athlete of the Year for 2021-22. Photo courtesy of Jake Wachsmuth.
    Zak Johnson is the TAPPS 2A Male Athlete of the Year for 2021-22. Photo courtesy of Jake Wachsmuth.

    St. Paul class of 2022 Zak Johnson was chosen as TAPPS 2021-22 2A Male Athlete of the Year after a successful year in all of his sports for the Cardinals.
    "I think it is a great final accomplishment for my high school career. I couldn’t do much better than that so I’m glad all the hard work paid off this year and years past to get me to the athlete I am today,” he said “I believe it really speaks to the expectations the school and the town has. The coaches and teachers help the athletes greatly, and also the atmosphere of the town is great. So it is a group effort to try to make the kids as best as they can be.I will remember my team. All the family I made while going through school, I will never forget them."
    St. Paul athletic director Jake Wachsmuth said he was very proud of Johnson’s accomplishments and more proud of his character and his values.
    Johnson helped the football team win their fourth straight Division IV state championship, picking up several awards in the process — Ford Tough Week 1 winner, First Team All-State Offense and Defense and First Team All-District on offense and defense.
    In basketball, Johnson assisted in leading the Cardinals to a playoff appearance and was named First Team All-District.
    Johnson capped his senior year and Cardinal career in baseball as Division IV runner up, made All-State Tournament team, First Team All-State and All-District.
    In his overall stay in St. Paul athletics, Johnson won state in football all four years and was First Team All-State on offense and defense his sophomore through senior years.
    In basketball, he made the playoffs all four years.
    In track and field, Johnson was state qualifier in high jump and triple jump, and won the state team title in his freshman year.  In his junior year, he was part of the state champion 400-meter relay team and second-place 800-relay team and was runner up in the team standings.
    In baseball, Johnson was a state semifinalist, All-State Tournament team and  First Team All-State in his freshman year.