The Messiah golf team is at the beginning of their spring season and is looking to put together a successful 2017 campaign. Junior Satchel Johnsen will be a part of the process after having success his first two years as a Falcon. He was named Commonwealth Rookie of the Year in 2015 and earned Second Team All-Commonwealth honors for playing eighth at the Commonwealth Conference Championships. Last season, he finished in 24th place at conference championships, and had an average score of 81.3 for the year.
 
Most notably Johnsen was named MAC Commonwealth Golfer of the Week in the fall for his strong performances at the Elizabethtown Invitational on Sept. 20 where he finished second and then finished 5th place at the Gettysburg Invitatiional on Sept. 24.
 
The Falcons are in action this coming weekend when they travel to North Carolina for the Marine FCU Championship Mar. 30 – Apr. 2.
 
Check out this week's edition of #WhyMessiah with Satchel below.
 
What are the names of the rest of your family and where do you fall among siblings?
My parents are Jeff (Messiah '88) and Alic Johnsen. I am the first of six kids--Satchel (Me), Annika (Messiah '19), Emma, Curren, Brynn, and Anders.
 
Is there anything unique about your family or members of your family that you want to share?
I think my friends like my youngest brother Anders (aka Guy) better than me. Whenever the family comes to visit they don't hesitate to ask, "Where's Guy?"
 
Why did you come to Messiah and/or why do you love being at Messiah?
Aside from picking a school with strong academics, I wanted to play golf at the collegiate level for a strong DIII program. During my recruiting visits I fell in love with the tight knit team culture that was present on the golf team. My coach, Troy Boone, was also a major influence. Of all the other schools I talked to, no other coach was as personable and committed to their program as him. We have definitely created a strong friendship over the years. My dad is a graduate of Messiah and was on the first golf team at Messiah. That makes me a legacy player on the team.
 
Why did you choose your specific major here at Messiah? Have you enjoyed your study in it? Why or why not?
I chose to be a Politics major because I want to get involved in politics as a career. I've had great professors and have met some of my closest friends. There are a lot of bright students in my major and we all seek to challenge one another in our thoughts and ideas in a respectful manner, which is a very important skill to pick up in life. The department has also set me up with some great experiences outside the classroom with on-campus clubs and internships.
 
What is your dream job for after college?
I would love to end up in DC after college working on Capitol Hill. People generally don't make a career of working on the Hill, so after that I would want to be a lobbyist or consultant so I can still have my hand in politics.
 
If you could have dinner with one person in history, who would it be and why?
I have to pick two people. Derek Jeter, he was a childhood hero of mine and was not only a phenomenal baseball player, but also a great guy.
 
Alexander Hamilton comes in at number two. Over the winter I read his biography--and of course I have listened to the play soundtrack--but he was such a larger than life figure that accomplished so much in a short period of time. Due to his death in a duel at a young age he never got to see the country he helped create.
 
How do you balance your academic work and your commitment to your sport?
Good time management and lots of coffee.
 
 
 
Who has most influenced your life and why?
Without a doubt my dad has been the strongest influence in my life. He has taught me that with hard work and patience anything is possible.
 
What is one thing about your coach Troy Boone that those outside your team may not know?
Not only is he beyond committed to our program, but also he knows every word to every song from the 70's & 80's.
 
What is special about your coaching staff and teammates, and how would you explain that to a recruit or someone outside of the program?
Coach Boone is one of the smartest and dedicated coaches in division III golf. In golf there are a lot of interaction between players and coaches in matches. Coach Boone's knowledge about the game of golf and patience with his players on the course does not compare to any other coach I have seen.
 
What is one of your favorite team traditions and why?
I would definitely have to say our spring break trip. It kicks off our spring season so we get back to work and we work hard. There is also a lot of fun and sun (burn) included in that week.
 
Do you have a pre-game ritual or habit? If so, what is it?
On the car ride, no matter how long or short, I try to nap. When we get close, I listen to "Holding Onto You" by Twenty-One Pilots. When I get out of the van I stretch real quick, hit some balls to loosen up, roll some putts, then head over to the first tee.
 
What is the toughest part of being a collegiate student-athlete? How do you live or grow through this at Messiah?
The balance of academics and athletics has been tough. As much as I want to be a great golfer, I know that I have to be a great student and it is tough to commit a lot of time to both. It has forced me to grow up and set a schedule around what needs to be prioritized the most. Sometimes it isn't what I want, but I know what is right.
 
What advice would you give to younger student-athletes looking to play a sport in college?
Odds are it will be your last time playing the game you love at a high level of competition. Get close with your teammates, your coach, and get to know all the other student-athletes at Messiah because it is a rich community for all athletes. Most importantly, work and leave all out on the court, field, course, etc. As Coach Taylor says from "Friday Night Lights", "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose." Enjoy every moment because it goes fast.
 
What is your favorite Messiah memory?
My freshman year we had the most wins out of any NCAA collegiate golf team with 11 wins. After winning MACs we went to the National Championship in North Carolina. On the first day we didn't play up to our potential. We all knew that if we wanted a chance to make the cut, we had to play the best golf we could. We all played awesome and just fell short of making the cut by a couple strokes. We finished top 20 at the biggest tournament in college golf and finished up what was truly a great season.
 
If you had to answer the question #WhyMessiah what would you say?
If you want to be a part of not only a team, but a large community of student-athletes giving God all the glory playing the sport they love, becoming a Falcon is the right decision.