Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Justin Hunter
Softball has been a constant in Camden Johnson’s life since she first picked up a bat at six years old. Now a senior at Cordova High School, she has built a reputation as a dependable outfielder and pitcher, earning All-County and All-Area honors along the way.
“Softball has definitely made me more confident,” she says. “I’ve gone through slumps like anyone else, but putting in extra work and staying focused has always helped.”
Her longtime pitching coach, David Swindle, has been a big part of that, always encouraging her to improve. Whether competing in school ball or travel leagues like the Night Hawks and Impact Gold, Camden has embraced the challenges of the game, pushing herself to improve every season.
This school year, Camden stepped outside her comfort zone by joining the cheer team to share the experience with her younger sister, Ella Brooke. Between school, sports, and Beta Club, she learned to manage her time and stay focused.
“I just try to keep school and sports separate,” she says. “When I’m on the field, I focus on playing. When I’m in class, I focus on my work.”
As she prepares to graduate this spring, Camden is looking ahead to Bevill State Community College, where she’ll continue playing softball while studying cosmetology. But before she moves on, there’s still one more goal she’d love to achieve.
“We haven’t been to state in a while, and that’s always the goal,” she says. “I want to finish my high school career on a high note.”
With her final high school season underway, Camden is making the most of every game, leaning on the confidence and work ethic she’s built over the years. No matter how the season plays out, she knows the lessons she’s learned on and off the field will stay with her long after graduation. WL
