When Hayden Johnson talks about swimming, she doesn't start with medals or times. She starts with silence. The quiet of the pool, the moment when her face slips beneath the surface and the noise of the day disappears. For her, swimming has always been more than a sport. It is where worry dissolves, discipline sharpens focus, and learning to be uncomfortable becomes a way of life.

A senior at Monmouth-Roseville, Hayden has been swimming competitively since she was six. By seven, she was competing regularly, and ever since, training has shaped her days. Practices are relentless—often around 6,000 yards, covering more than three miles of water. One of her coaches' favorite sayings is "be okay with being uncomfortable." There is never an easy practice, never a moment when the board promises rest.

In swimming, there is nowhere to hide. Your thoughts travel every lap with you, and when fatigue sets in, it becomes a test of resolve as much as strength. The sport demands full engagement—mind and body working together. "You need to be mentally and physically strong," Hayden says. "And if you're just one, then it really shows."

Hayden has competed at state twice, qualifying junior year and returning as a senior with a stronger mindset. Her first experience was overwhelming, marked by pressure she hadn't fully anticipated. The second time, she swam her second-best time in the 100 breaststroke—an event she had been working toward since freshman year. The growth reflects not just physical training, but the foundation built by coaches like Tom Burek, who passed away but first brought her up as a swimmer, and Derek Ammerman, who has kept her afloat through hard times—someone whose shoulder she could cry on when the mental toll became heavy.

She also competes in the individual medley, a race requiring mastery of four strokes: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle. Her teammates call her "Sally Save-up" for her strategy—she rides the butterfly and backstroke, then unleashes everything on breaststroke and freestyle. That ability to pace mirrors how she has learned to navigate high school itself.

When Hayden entered high school, she envisioned a future rooted in science, with aspirations toward physical therapy. Over time, that path no longer felt right. A new interest emerged—psychology—shaped by her own experiences as an athlete. She began to see how deeply mental strength influences performance, particularly in swimming, where isolation and pressure are constant.

That realization led her toward careers in talk therapy or sports psychology. She speaks openly about how mental health is often overlooked in competitive athletics, even though it plays a critical role. She wants to be the person she once struggled to find—someone who understands the mental toll of competition.

Hayden's competitive drive is deeply rooted in family. Her two brothers are both accomplished athletes—her older brother, CJ, plays baseball and football at Coe College, while her younger brother is a sophomore active in football, basketball, and baseball. Growing up in that environment shaped her mindset. Competition isn't something she avoids; it's something she embraces.

Her journey hasn't been without challenges. For a time, Hayden trained largely on her own—a sixteen-year-old girl worrying about things her coach normally should worry about. The toll was real. This year's cooperative season with Galesburg brought renewed structure through coaches Ray Vanodagan and Jake Miller, who expected excellence and brought her competitive edge back to life. Having coaches who believed in her and teammates who shared the load allowed her to refocus and grow.

Looking ahead, Hayden is committed to swimming in college. She is exploring options across multiple divisions. Her decision is firm: she wants four more years to discover who she truly is as a swimmer. "My best is not yet to come," she says. After swimming largely alone, having coaches and a team for just three months pushed her further than she imagined. She's not done.

Born and raised in Monmouth, where her father serves as assistant principal at the high school, Hayden describes her hometown as "the middle of nowhere" while recognizing its uniqueness. The diversity—27 spoken languages in the school district—and cultural resources like the Buchanan Art Center give it a depth that surprises outsiders.

Swimming has taught Hayden that progress rarely comes easily. You keep moving. You adapt. You learn to endure discomfort. And over time, that persistence shapes not just the athlete, but the person.