Male Most Valuable Athlete: Tyler Johnson

Name: Tyler Johnson

School: St. Charles East, senior

Sport: Bowling

Why he was selected: Johnson earned fifth place at the state bowling tournament Feb. 1. Johnson bowled a perfect 300 game on the second day of the tournament, helping lead the Saints to a first-ever state title in bowling. Chronicle sports reporter Jacob Bartelson caught up with Johnson to discuss the successful weekend.

Bartelson: Was that the first time ever hitting 300 or have you done that before?

Johnson: That was my second time hitting a 300, but it was my first time at a tournament. And especially my first time at state. ... [My first 300 game] was actually in a non-school-related [game].

Bartelson: What prompted you to join the bowling team?

Johnson: I've been bowling for most of my life, so joining the bowling team was the natural progression of things. It wasn't like something that I just discovered or something that piqued my interest. Bowling has just been a part of me for the majority of my [life], and bowling on the high school team was the next step.

Bartelson: What has bowling meant to you as an athlete?

Johnson: As an athlete, bowling really has been both a trying and a rewarding sport. Mental game is huge in bowling, and as you grow up, you develop that mental game. It's just always been part of who I am, and it's great that my high school bowling career ended the way it did.

Bartelson: Are you looking to bowl in college? Any prospects?

Johnson: The college that I'm attending [Western Michigan] does not have a bowling team. But there are multiple bowling alleys nearby, so a league is not out of the question. Also, there's been talk in my household about starting a club at the school. I'm not sure what I'm going to do in college, but hopefully I'll still roll a ball at least here and there.