Johannesburg-Lewiston hits the ground running

JOHANNESBURG, Mich. — For the first time in over three months, Johannesburg-Lewiston has reopened their facilities. On Monday evening, the Cardinals were back in business as they completed their first strength and conditioning workout.

“It feels good,” said Tara Madej. “Not being able to be here has been rough. I’m always here working out and now I can get back into my usual routine.”

However, some athletes haven’t been able to workout as much because of the COVID-19 pandemic, like upcoming junior Preston Marlatt.

“This workout was a little tiring,” said Marlatt. “I haven’t done any workouts all summer.”

Both Madej and Marlatt have high expectations going into the 2020-21 school year. For Marlatt, he hopes he and his football team can make a deeper run in the postseason than last year. In 2019, the Cardinals finished with a 10-1 record. Johannesburg-Lewiston’s one loss came from Beal City (33-20) in a district final game.

Madej is entering her senior year at Joburg. During the 2019-20 school year, she was named all-conference in both volleyball and basketball. Not only she would like to continue that for the upcoming year, but she would like to capture a title in anything.

“I’m doing the best that I can,” said Madej. “Hopefully we can get a championship in anything. That would be really nice.”

Athletic Director Joe Smokevitch hopes the athletes start Phase Two on July 8. At this time, all strength and conditioning workouts will be held Monday-Friday from 6:30-7:30 p.m.