Ask former Monett High School standout Angela (Beckett) Johnson about the secrets to her successes in sports – specifically cross country, basketball and track – and she is quick to say this: So many others made it all possible.
Still, Johnson was the one who put in the work, and now her career is being remembered by the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. The Hall will recognize Johnson with a Wynn Award during its Women’s Sports Luncheon presented by the Bee Payne-Stewart Foundation, set for 11 a.m. March 23 at University Plaza Convention Center in Springfield. For tickets, call 417-889-3100.
“I want to thank my cross country coach Richard ‘Whitey’ Mettlach for pushing me and helping me qualify for state all four years and for getting me in shape for basketball,” Johnson said. “My basketball coach, Cleo Elbert, was very tough but fair. I have the utmost respect for him. I even got to be his assistant coach when I came to Monett to teach and coach. My track coach, Leonard Bauer, coached me to multiple state entries and championships.”
The Women’s Sports Luncheon features the induction of College of the Ozarks’ Dora Quinn Arney Meikle, Drury University’s Barbara Cowherd, University of Missouri volleyball coaches Wayne and Susan Kreklow and the Licking High School volleyball team that won the first volleyball state championship in 1975.
Johnson is among seven recipients for the inaugural Wynn Awards, named in honor of Dr. Mary Jo Wynn, the pioneer of women’s athletics at Missouri State University. The awards are presented to former high school, college and pro athletes for their contributions in athletics.
She was one of Monett High School’s premier multi-sport athletes in the late 1980s before enjoying success at the University of Missouri.
In track, Johnson was a three-time state champion in the high jump (1985-1987) and also was an All-American honorable mention in the high jump in 1986. Johnson went 5 feet, 7.25 inches in the high jump in 1986 in Class 3. That remains among the top 10 in state history overall and second-best in Class 3. In her junior year, she also won the Class 3 800 meters.
That year also was the first of her two first team All-State awards in basketball, as she helped Monett to the 1985 Class 3 state semifinals and a third-place finish.
At Mizzou, Johnson was a two-time medalist in the Big Eight Championships and won the Penn Relays in the high jump in 1991.
“Most importantly, my biggest influence was my parents,” Johnson said. “They never missed a meet or ball game. They were always there for me, especially my dad. He pushed me to be the best I could be.”
Johnson actually took two years off from track after high school but eventually walked on at Mizzou.
“It was one of the best decisions I made,” Johnson said. “So many wonderful memories were made those three years. Coach (Rick) McGuire was an inspiration to me. He allowed me to walk on my junior year, and it turned into a full ride by my graduate year.”
The Wynn Award recipients are Missouri State field hockey standout Marjorie (DeMarino) Bankovich; Camdenton High School soccer standout Monique (Willcut) Begley; Springfield Catholic High School hurdles champion Angie (Bullock) Homeyer; Monett High School basketball and track standout Angela (Beckett) Johnson; Springfield angler Julie Martin; Lebanon High School/Mizzou golfer Kerry (Speaker) North; and Jamie Vest, a cross country standout from Stoutland and Missouri State University.
An individual ticket is $40, and a head table ticket is $100. A table of eight is $400 and includes associate sponsor recognition in the printed program. Sponsorships also are available. Call the Hall of Fame at 417-889-3100.
