Updated with UIL 6A Region 1 Championship Cross Country results on Oct. 26.

One foot in front of the other, cross country runner and junior Shewaye Johnson runs through an open field, nearing the finish line. But, her real starting point was 8,375 miles away in Ethiopia. From there, she moved to Iowa. Then, two and a half months ago, she came to Texas, where she joined the Prosper cross country team.

Now, she has competed in five meets this season so far. The next meet she will be competing in, along with her team, is the Region I-6A Championship at Mae Simmons Park in Lubbock Monday, Oct. 25, at 8 a.m. Johnson placed first at the district meet as an individual. Her teammate, senior Aubrey O’Connell placed second, and the team won the meet.

Johnson began running in seventh grade, and she has been running ever since. After growing up in Ethiopia until she was 14, Johnson lived in Iowa for four and a half years, following her adoption.  But, she said moving from Iowa to Texas “was not easy.”

Varsity girls are your DISTRICT CHAMPIONS!! Shewaye Johnson is your individual district champion and Aubrey O’Connell is the district runner-up. Great job ladies! #RTW pic.twitter.com/JxelKBYcNo

— Prosper XC & Track (@ProsperXCTrack) October 15, 2021

“I’m not a very outgoing person, so it was hard,” Johnson said. “And, it’s still kind of hard in some ways, but I’m finding my place – just taking it day by day.” 

Johnson said that cross country has helped her “meet new people and make friends” these last few months.

“She is extremely sweet and fun to be around,” senior cross country runner Caitlyn Kennedy said. “Once you get to know her a bit, she comes out of her shell, and she has such an outgoing and enthusiastic personality. She’s always laughing.”

 Being in cross country has provided Johnson an opportunity to grow and connect with her teammates.  

“I like competing and seeing where I am in running,” Johnson said. “I also like the bus rides after the meet – like we go out to eat. Those are fun.”

Being on the cross country team doesn’t only involve running and improving skills – but it also requires teamwork and friendship.

“We are both obsessed with coffee, so it’s so fun to go grab lattes together,” junior runner Diane Shaw said. “I also love when I get the chance to run with her.”

Congratulations to the District 5-6A XC Award Winners! We are so proud of you! RTW -keepchoppin’ @PISD_Athletics @ProsperISD @ProsperHS pic.twitter.com/shSZ2eS2jA

— Prosper XC & Track (@ProsperXCTrack) October 18, 2021

Besides running cross country, Johnson said she “enjoys having the community and having a team that works hard and supports each other every day.”

“At practice, the coaches have their plans for everyone, and they know what works for that person and that person,” Johnson said. “We all train the same, a little differently, but, it’s really nice and helpful.”

Though Johnson said practices can be “tough,” they “always get through it together as a team.” So far, Johnson said she is enjoying her time with the cross country team members, and she has already made long-lasting memories with them. 

“The best part is having relationships with everyone outside of the cross country, and making friends and long-lasting friendships,” Johnson said. “And, people who support you and push you to work harder every day.”

Johnson said “cross country is a team sport, but it can also be an individual sport because you have to play your part to get better as a whole team.”

“An important lesson I’ve learned is that running is your own effort, and it’s only you,” Johnson said. “You can’t get it because someone shared it with you. It all depends on how much you give – and how hard you work for it.”