May 1, 2025 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

Hamilton, relay team place first at conference meet for Spartans

May 2, 2019

May 2, 2019

The intensity of a postseason meet is right around the corner for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ track and...

Full day of basketball on tap at SJO as Christie Clinic Shootout returns Saturday

January 7, 2022

January 7, 2022

The Christie Clinic Shootout is back at St. Joseph-Ogden High School. The 14-team, seven-game boys’ basketball event starts at 11...

Kaiser, Albrecht spark latest win by SJO volleyball

September 17, 2019

September 17, 2019

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School volleyball team kept right on rolling Monday night after placing second this past Saturday at...

Donation could change the face of sports and activities at SJO

February 16, 2021

February 16, 2021

An anonymous donor has made St. Joseph-Ogden High School an offer they couldn’t refuse. And because of it, SJO athletic...

Spartans hope to raise the bar

August 27, 2021

August 27, 2021

By Jim Cotter St. Joseph-Ogden football hopes raise the bar this season.Last season, the Spartans finished 2-4. The Spartans are...

Frick, Hug and Martinie excel as SJO girls’ basketball opens new year with win

January 9, 2023

January 9, 2023

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball team has shown flashes of its potential thisseason. Just not enough on a...

SJO Board to discuss basketball at November meeting

November 4, 2020

November 4, 2020

Basketball isn’t a sure thing at St. Joseph-Ogden High School this winter. The district will have to decide whether to...

Cramer, Jacob come up clutch in SJO girls’ basketball’s win against Tuscola

December 5, 2019

December 5, 2019

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball team has fared well under pressure so far this season. The Spartans’ latest...

Dowling, Dukeman power SJO softball to home win

April 10, 2019

April 10, 2019

So far, so good this season for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball team. The Spartans (10-0) kept their undefeated...

Opportunity for growth is outlook SJO boys’ track and field is taking amid pandemic

April 17, 2020

April 17, 2020

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ track and field team had competed in a few indoor meets in February and...

Get to know SJO Volleyball player Helene Jones

October 31, 2022

October 31, 2022

What do you think makes the team so successful? Everyone on the team is so close outside of volleyball, so...

Izard, Cain, Pence key SJO boys’ basketball to sixth-place finish at State Farm Holiday Classic

January 3, 2020

January 3, 2020

The small-school State Farm Holiday Classic ended on a sour note for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ basketball team....

5 Question Friday with Charlie Mabry

September 10, 2021

September 10, 2021

Every Friday we are going to ask an athlete to answer five questions. This week we talked to Charlie Mabry....

Jacob, Cramer and steady defense spark SJO girls’ basketball ahead of difficult stretch this week

January 13, 2020

January 13, 2020

The race for first place in the Illini Prairie Conference is in full swing. And the St. Joseph-Ogden High School...

Duval, SJO boys’ basketball ‘embrace high expectations’ ahead of upcoming season

December 2, 2019

December 2, 2019

More than nine months have elapsed since the last time the St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ basketball team played a...

Comments
Leave a Reply