Lowry High School graduate Tytin Johnson is going to be a busy guy next fall. Johnson recently signed a letter of intent to wrestle and play baseball at Lassen Community College in Susanville, Calif.
The wrestling season will begin in September and run through December, while baseball will get underway in the spring of 2015. Still the two sports will wrap around each other.
"I felt like Lassen was the best place for me," Johnson said. "It's closer to home and I get to play the two sports that I love and my family will not be that far away."
During his wrestling career at Lowry, Johnson finished third at the state championships in 2012 at 220 pounds, third at 195 pounds in 2013 and he was second in 2014 at 195 pounds. He collected 52 wins this past season and was named an All-American. Johnson was fifth at the Rollie Lane and Sierra Nevada Classic and was eighth at the Reno Tournament of Champions.
The Cougars are part of the California Community College Athletic Association. Lassen is coached by Francis Beaujon, who has more than 20 years experience as a coach. The Cougars finished 17th at the 2013 CCCAA State Wrestling Championships. Sacramento City and Fresno City College were the top two teams. Lassen had just one wrestler finish in the top eight in the tournament.
Johnson is looking to move into the 174-pound or 184-pound weight classes. The coaches asked him if he felt comfortable to drop to 174 pounds and he said he could do it. He began his high school career at 220 pounds and at heavyweight.
The Lassen baseball team has been coached by Frank Avila since the 2011 season, when he came from Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Okla. The Cougars were fourth in the Golden Valley Conference this year at 10-15 and 10-26 overall. The remainder of the conference includes Feather River, Butte, Shasta, Siskiyous and Redwoods.
"I am going to have to learn to do a lot of time saving," Johnson said. "I am going have to figure out the time to do my homework and get through both practices. The good thing is that wrestling practice is after baseball practice, which is nice."
Johnson, who split time as a pitcher and outfielder for the Buckaroos, will play the same positions at Lassen. He was an honorable mention selection in the outfield this past season in the Division I-A North. Johnson batted .329 this season with 27 hits and 23 runs scored. He knocked in 17 runs and was second on the team with three triples. In eight starts on the mound, he was 2-3 with three no decisions and a 5.73 ERA.
"Lassen was looking for a left-handed pitcher and it was a good fit for me," Johnson said. "They needed another arm in the rotation and I should play in the outfield as well."
Johnson also made a trip to Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay, Ore,. and also had and offer from Sacramento City to wrestle for that school.
Johnson plans pursue a double major in business management, with an emphasis on accounting and physical education.
"I am looking forward to the challenge," Johnson said. "I am ready to take the next step in my life. So far the coaches have worked with me to play two sports."[[In-content Ad]]
