Kristina Johnson

Playing Field Hockey at University of Maryland Fall of 2024
St. John School (2020 - 2024)

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From Kristina:
1.Favorite Field Hockey Memory? Why?

Scoring the only goal in the match against the Hill school this past fall with my high school team. It was a surreal experience to feel the joy of my teammates hugs, and the screams of the crowd, and I’m great full to have experienced such an accomplishment with my teammates and coaches.

2.What was your most exciting recruiting experience?

At a recruiting clinic for Maryland I was put on a random team for a scrimmage, and I got the opportunity to play against the recruits for the school in the grade above me. It made me fall in love with the team and their playing style, and was one of my happiest moments: and it made me realize that Maryland was where I wanted to be.

3.Why are you playing field hockey in college?

I am playing field hockey in college because I want to take my game to the next level. It has always been one of the biggest parts in my life, and I owe it to myself, my parents, and everyone who has supported me to continue down my path and reach my childhood dream.

4.What have you done this summer to prepare?

Although I underwent a knee surgery a few weeks ago, I have never worked harder to come back with rehab and the summer exercise packet my school provided. Up until the day of my surgery I practiced on the field every day, and post surgery have maintained my shape as I continue my journey to a full recovery by preseason.

5.If you could give one piece of advice to younger girls who want to play field hockey in college, what would it be?

Everything happens for a reason. Life is full of possibilities, changes, ups and downs. While it is easy to get swept away in stress and pressure, you have to remember that everything happens for a reason, and you will end up where you are supposed to end up. So don’t force anything, just enjoy the process and the blessings that come from it.

6.Who was the most influential person in high school?

Piper Edwards. The was a captain my freshman year, during covid, and she took me under her wing and showed me the person I wanted to be. I have an unlimited amount of respect for her as a player and person, and I would give anything to be on a team with her again.

7.Favorite post practice/ game snack?

8.What pre game rituals do you use to hype yourself up before a game?

Before a big game you will always see me with my head phones in on the bus and during warmup playing music that will get me in game mode.

9.What made you want to be a college field hockey player?

I have always been proud to represent my school, club, and country as an athlete, and I knew that the next step for me was going to be representing my college. I feel an extreme amount of pride in being able to represent something bigger then I am

10.What was one of the toughest experiences?

This past fall I suffered a painful knee injury that took away almost half a year of tournaments and opportunities right before my college season. Nobody was able to fully diagnose my injury until this past may, so it was a long and hard process of recovery. The most difficult part was being unable to practice and play with my teammates every day, and missing out on my final tournaments as a senior for the club team.

11.Year you began playing field hockey? How?

I began playing in third grade, 2015 I believe. I came to a camp with one of my friends, and when her dad didn’t pick her up I stayed and ended up accidentally trying out for the team with her.

Favorite Kristina Moment (old) / why?:

Kristina is a young player for her age. When she was a U14, we asked her to stay down and keep playing U14 as the rest of her 'group' aged up to U16. I believed she could be a great leader on that team and make a big impact on their development. And she did. She was a key player on that team for many years and made a big impact in the success of our 24/25 team as they grew.

Favorite Kristina moment (new)/ why?

Kristina played in one game for us at Shooting Star Thanksgiving this year. She was pretty injured and gave everything she had in that one game and made a big differnece in the outcome. Kristina has the abilityt o completely change the pace and outcome of a game when she wants to.

Story we will forever tell about Hailey:

Kristina used to wear cat ears to play in when she was little :) She would wear this cat ear headband and play in it during games, practice, everything. It was adorable.

Favorite Kristina recruiting moment/ why?

Kristina stuck to what she wanted. She was quite stubborn about it to the point where she committed to working to go play the best hockey she could in college. We wish her the best of luck with her career at Maryland.

First memory of Kristina / why?

I remember when Kristina tried out for her first travel team. She came to our free clinc. She was so little and had this long braid and the biggest smile on her face. She loved it from the moment someone put a stick in her hands. After the free clinic, we were having a tryout for our U12 travel team going to Disney that summer. And she tried out! She then went to Disney and played on our U14 team with girls who are not graduated from college :). But she was so little.