Chrystal Johnston has suffered through many health issues during her time on the Illinois State soccer team.
After redshirting in 2002 due to a knee injury, the senior is now playing with a broken thumb that she received during a game against Eastern Illinois. It might seem to some that Johnston has bad luck. However, she thinks her luck is about to change.
The midfielder from Ontario is a captain this year and sees herself playing better than she ever has before. Womens soccer head coach Pete Kowall also thinks Johnston will have a good season.
Im very excited, Kowall said. Chrystal did really well her first three years here. She is a good defender with great speed and were glad to have her back.
Johnston was unhappy that her injury forced her to sit out last year.
Last year, I was upset because I wanted to come out and give it my all with the class I came in the program with, Johnston said. That ended up not happening and I coped with that.
However, she has high hopes for her final year as a Redbird.
As a senior and a captain I am trying to set a good example. I do that by working hard and performing the best I can, Johnston said.
Johnston has had many accomplishments over the course of her Redbird career. She played and started in all 18 games in 2001 and co-led the team with 4 assists. She was also named first team All-MVC in 2000 and 2001.
Playing in the Pan-American games in 1999 was one of the most memorable moments in Johnstons life.
It was amazing, she said. It was a 2 year process of tryouts and working hard. I played a lot of soccer that year, probably five times a week, but it was well worth it. It was a great feeling to stand on the field hearing your countrys national anthem and then go represent them on the field.
Growing up in Canada, Johnston played volleyball, basketball, badmitton and track. However, she fell in love with soccer in middle school.
My oldest sister played soccer and we always wanted to play, Johnston said. Eventually, my dad put us in soccer in seventh grade and I have been playing ever since.
This summer Johnston returned to her home country to recuperate and rest.
Basically, I just tried to recover from my injury, Johnston said. I worked out a lot and tried to strengthen my leg.
Outside of soccer, graduating with a degree in Biology keeps Johnston busy. She hopes to one day own a dental practice.
In high school, we did a career planning evaluation and mine suggested becoming a dentist, Johnston said. I did an internship at an office and ended up enjoying the work. I also liked that the dentists had flexible hours and could spend a lot of time with their families.
After graduation, Johnston will take the summer off in Canada before trying to get into dental school.
I have to take the DAT, which is the equivalent to the MCAT for doctors, Johnston said. I will go home and work as a lab technician while studying for that. Then I will take the DAT in the fall of next year.
Written by Jolene Harrison, Student Assistant, Athletics Media Relations
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