Massabesic’s Kylie Johnson followed up her impressive freshman campaign with an even stronger sophomore season.

Johnson regularly finished atop of the standings for the Mustangs, and capped off her strong season with a top-20 performance in the Class A cross country state championship. Johnson has been widely recognized for her 2016 success, including being named to the Southwestern Maine Activities Association’s first team.

“She had a wonderful year this year. Consistency, consistency, consistency is what Kylie does as a runner. When she gets up to that starting line you know you will get the best she can give at that moment. She had a great year, always looking to improve and always willing to put in whatever time and effort it takes to give a great race,” said Massabesic coach Mark Crepeau.

Johnson’s results throughout the 2016 season were perhaps the state’s most impressive results coming from a sophomore, and Crepeau believes her passion for the sport is what drives her to succeed at a young age.

“She has an intensity about running that you don’t see in young runners very often — she takes it very seriously,” said Crepeau. “Running for her is not something she does to keep active or to fill time, it is a passion, it is a part of who she is as a person. People who are passionate about things are willing to put the time and the pain in to get better … they have a goal and they will achieve it.”

Not only did Johnson solidify her position as a leader on the course, she also became one of the Mustangs’ most popular runners with her contagious personality. 

“She has a maturity that surrounds her all the time. It’s like a light that gets brighter and attracts others to it,” said Crepeau. “As we saw this year, her teammates became illuminated with that light and that light helped guide this team to heights that I did not think they could achieve but they did. Third place at both the regional and state meets, Kyle played an integral roll in that.”

On top of her desire to improve with each race, Johnson has also exhibited an unrelenting work ethic to achieve her goals. Crepeau has enjoyed coaching such a determined athlete.

“It has been a joy and a pleasure to work with her. She wants to be better and seeks the coaching to get  better,” said Crepeau. “Her work ethic is just out of this world. Hard work is not something she is afraid of.”

Johnson will continue to work hard and will likely be a force in the next two seasons. The Mustangs look forward to having an all-state runner in green for the next few years.

“She is a coach’s dream to work with. It has been a pleasure and an honor to have the opportunity to work with such a fine young lady,” said Crepeau. “She is a rough uncut gem that once gets cut and polished will sparkle very brightly.”

— Associate Sports Editor Alex Sponseller can be reached at [email protected] or at 282-1535 ext. 323. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.