August 16, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Johnson exploring college choices

Caleb Johnson has options.


The St. Joseph-Ogden senior committed to play baseball for William Penn University in January but the senior right-handed pitcher said he is reevaluating his choice.


“I’ve gotten a couple more offers lately,” Johnson said. “I’m looking a little closer into them before I decide.”


Johnson said William Penn’s baseball team, which is 33-10 this season, has a great family atmosphere.


“They made me feel at home,” he said.


The only downside to the school is its location which is five hours away from St. Joseph in Oskaloosa, Iowa.


No matter where he attends in the fall, Johnson plans on majoring in sports management and continuing his baseball career.

Johnson said he is looking forward to college and meeting new people, however, he is looking forward to continuing his athletic career the most.


“I’m most looking forward to continuing to play the game I love, to bring a competitive edge and high energy with me and to get a good education,” Johnson said.


Johnson, who has played baseball since he was three years old, said he has always loved the sport. While he has tried track, football and basketball, the ball diamond is where he has excelled.


“It’s a sport that takes your mind off of everything around you and being around my teammates every day— I love all these things,” he said.


Johnson also loves the pressure that comes with being a pitcher.


“I love being in stressful situations,” he said. “The feeling you get being in that moment—it’s something you can’t describe.”


In addition for playing for the Spartans, Johnson plays for the St. Joseph Bandits travel baseball team. It allows him to hone his skills in the summer, not just the spring, and he feels it played an instrumental role in him being able to continue his athletic career in college.


“It has really helped me get into playing college baseball,” he said.


Johnson will graduate this month and leave SJO behind. However, he said he will take several lessons with him when he leaves including the ability to handle adversity, the ability to focus and the desire to achieve greatness.

“They really push you here to reach your highest potential and want you to be great at everything you do,” he said.

Banner
Related Posts

On the call: Sjuts delivers in PA role for Spartans

September 20, 2019

September 20, 2019

Even if you don’t know his name, chances are you know his voice. For nearly 20 years Keith Sjuts has...

Postseason play begins for St. Joseph Middle School baseball, softball teams

September 22, 2020

September 22, 2020

Whether the St. Joseph Middle School would have baseball and softball teams this school year was uncertain. All because of...

SJO baseball loses heartbreaker in sectional title game

June 6, 2019

June 6, 2019

For six innings, Crayton Burnett was unhittable. But all it took were two singles that just fell out of the...

Mattsey, Plotner key strong starts for SJO cross-country

September 10, 2019

September 10, 2019

The Chrisman Cow Chip Classic features seven different waves of runners. Run over a pasture near Chrisman High School, hence...

Dukeman, Martlage help SJO softball get back to winning streak

April 29, 2019

April 29, 2019

Challenging road games await the St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball team at the start of this week. But the Spartans...

Armstrong leads balanced offense in win against Pontiac

February 25, 2021

February 25, 2021

Recovering from a tough home loss with a road win is always a good sign.Especially with multiple road games on...

Dowling sets home run record, SJO softball reaches 20-win mark

May 14, 2019

May 14, 2019

Two notable historic accomplishments have happened recently for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball team. First, Bailey Dowling is now...

Armstrong, Lannert key three-game win streak for SJO girls’ basketball

December 6, 2021

December 6, 2021

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball team ventured away from its home gymnasium for the first time last week....

Cohen, Seeley help guide SJO soccer to win

September 30, 2019

September 30, 2019

With less than two weeks left in the regular season, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School soccer team picked up a...

Mabry clocks top time for SJO boys’ cross-country during Spartan Classic victory

October 1, 2021

October 1, 2021

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ cross-country team has already run on a variety of courses during the first month...

SJO girls’ basketball wins tournament title in Fisher

December 2, 2019

December 2, 2019

The St. Joseph-Ogden girls’ basketball team already has a tournament championship to its name this season, but the Spartans are...

10 things you don’t know about me… SJO Quarterback Logan Smith

September 2, 2022

September 2, 2022

We asked St. Joseph-Ogden quarterback Logan Smith to tell us 10 interesting things about himself. Here are his answers. My...

Commitment pays off for Mattsey

December 10, 2019

December 10, 2019

St. Joseph-Ogden Junior Brandon Mattsey is a leader. That is why his cross country coach Jason Retz, nominated him for...

5 Questions with LOGAN SMITH

March 1, 2024

March 1, 2024

How would you describe this team? I would describe this team as together and competitive, we always are playing together...

5 questions with TANNER SIEMS

March 1, 2024

March 1, 2024

How would you describe your team?I would describe our team as a family. What is the biggest lesson you have...

Comments
Leave a Reply