Not many people can balance school work with three varsity sports, but Johnny Owens is more than just an athlete. 

The Capital University football commit has competed for four years on the football field and in the pool and two years on the track while keeping his GPA above a 3.0. 

It’s not always easy, but Owens is able to handle the pressure in the classroom with the pressures of competition. 

“I’m always a student before an athlete, and I have been able to manage my time properly so I can study and train,” he said.

Owens has won multiple scholar awards for maintaining above a 3.5 GPA during football season. He also attends the EXCEL TECC business academy at the Northern Career Institute in Eastlake.

He capped his four-year varsity football career by serving as captain during his junior and senior years. He was also voted First Team All-Conference in his senior year. 

Athletic Director Ryan Peters appreciates Johnny’s leadership in the school. 

“Johnny Owens has worked really hard at football, track & field and also swimming,” Peters said. “He’s become one of our top athletes in the school. [He] shows [other athletes] it can be done and gives a positive look that other students [know they] can do this.” 

Owens qualified for the district swim meet in 100 backstroke on Feb. 14.

“I’ve been putting in the work all season for this,” Owens said in an interview just before the meet.

Although he did not qualify for the state tournament, he had a very successful season. 

In track this season, Owens is competing in the 300 hurdles and 110 hurdles. Last year was his first year running track, but he had a very successful season for his first year. 

Playing all three sports has its benefits when it comes to training. 

“Swimming has allowed me to grow a lot of muscle in my back and legs, which definitely helps me perform a lot better in football and track,” he said. “I feel that all three sports compliment each other. When I’m training for swimming it also helps with football.”

Like many athletes, Owens has also faced the obstacle of injury. When he injured his ankle during a scrimmage before his junior football season, he was met with the task of recovery. 

“The recovery was difficult for me,” he said. “Thankfully my coaches, teammates and physical trainer helped me make a full recovery. Once I came back I was better than ever.”

Owens didn’t let the injury affect him; instead he grew from it and came back with something to prove. That season he was selected First Team all Conference and had his most tackles in a season yet. 

Athletic Director Ryan Peters knows how difficult it can be to maintain a healthy balance between academics and athletics. 

“Some kids are able to handle it,” Peters said. “You have teachers that give you a lot of homework and some that don’t. So we try to find the perfect balance so they don’t have a heavy workload along with daily practices and sport events.”

Owens has had many unforgettable moments in his years playing three different sports. 

“One of my proudest moments was when I scored my first touchdown, the whole team was hyped, and everybody in the crowd was cheering,” Owens said. “It was freshman year and that made it even more exciting for me because I was so young.”

Quarterback Larry Clark, explained that Owens stepped up when the team needed him as a leader during his senior year. 

“Johnny made the team better in more ways than just on the field,” Clark said. “He made sure the younger guys were paying attention and helped them if they needed it. If someone messed up he wouldn’t yell at them, he would just talk it over so everyone would be on the same page.” 

Owens committed Jan. 22 to Capital University, where he will start a new page in both his academic and athletic careers. Capital University offers a great environment for Owens to pursue his career. 

 “I was talking to the coach, and he gave me a great opportunity to play the sport I love,” he said. “I also felt the campus and school atmosphere was the best fit for me.”

At his signing event in the community room, Owens was celebrated by students, staff, friends and family. 

He was proud to see his hard work pay off, and he hopes that college is not the end of his football career.

“My first goal was to get accepted into a college to play football, and I will train and work out more so I could eventually reach my dream of the NFL,” he said.