Junior Bailey Johnson, Varsity Lacrosse player, verbally committed to play D1 at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, after she graduates in the spring of 2027.
Johnson gives her father credit for her achievements in her lacrosse career. He always encouraged and supported her to take up a sport at a young age, allowing her to succeed in lacrosse, Johnson said. Johnson dominated her club league, Team ONE, one of Illinois’ premier lacrosse club programs, she said. Her hard work paid off, leading to her eye-catching performances that intrigued many university coaches.
“Everyone [in club] starts playing in front of college coaches,” Johnson said. “I think they had 100 coaches at [one] game—I didn’t expect it.”
Coaches reached out to Team ONE, asking Johnson to join their D1 programs. Many schools wanted to recruit Johnson, but ultimately, she made her decision to play for Colgate.
“When I was little, I saw all the older girls at [my] club were committing to college,” Johnson said. “I [thought] maybe this could be for me, but I didn’t know that it would actually happen.”
Johnson was both excited and surprised to be recruited as a junior—a rare scenario. Johnson’s achievement was recognized by many, including her teammate, junior Maggie Scheftner.
“She is a silent leader,” Scheftner said. “She leads by example, and she’s very intentional with her work. When she plays, she plays to win, and when she leads, she’s incredible at it.”
Johnson encourages people to make small changes that will help them follow strategies to improve their skills, Scheftner said. Johnson also creates many memorable moments on and off the field with her teammates, Scheftner said.
Johnson is always looking to improve her game and her teammates game, senior Katelyn Kim, Varsity Lacrosse player, said. She is always encouraging her team and demonstrating the true meaning of a team player, Kim added. With much hope and optimism for her future, Kim thinks Johnson will be a great asset to Colgate’s defense.
“[Johnson does not] about her, and her needs, [Johnson’s] a team player [who] does whatever the team needs,” Kim said. “Since she can do everything versatilely, and she is very selfless.”