Halifax County commissioners Monday honored Enfield native Reid Johnston with a resolution which acknowledges him as a role model for young athletes.
Johnston viewed the virtual meeting on Zoom from Goodyear, Arizona, where the Cleveland Indians, which drafted him in July, hold fall and spring training.
“I’d like to say thank you Mr. Chairman, Halifax County commissioners and staff for having me on this afternoon,” Johnston, who formerly pitched for North Carolina State University, said. “It’s such an honor to be on this call representing Halifax County. I take pride that I’m able to be a role model for younger athletes because when I was growing up there were many athletes that I looked up to as well.”
Several of Johnston’s family members were online for the occasion as Chairman Vernon Bryant read the resolution honoring him.
Johnston said, “Halifax County is such a special place for me and my family. I’ve lived there my whole life.”
He has been in Arizona for the last three months. “This is probably the longest I’ve gone without being in Halifax County. I’m looking forward to getting back. I’d like to thank my family for being on here. I wish we could do it together in person but times are different now. I’m glad they’re up here and I thank them for their support and the support of everybody at home over the years.”
Bryant said, “We do appreciate all you have done and all that you’re going to do for Halifax County and for the youth and other individuals in our county. We wish you the very, very best. We appreciate that you have not forgotten from whence you came.”
https://rrspin.com/news/4827-resolution-honors-johnston-as-on-field-in-classroom-role-model.html#sigProId6315f910e9
The resolution notes that Johnston earned both third team All-ACC and All-ACC Academic honors this year and to be selected as an All-Academic Team member he had to earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the previous semester and a cumulative 3.0 during his academic career.
“ … Mr. Johnston exhibited great athletic ability by leading his team with 96 strikeouts in 96.2 innings pitched,” the document says.”
He compiled a 4.47 ERA with a 9-3 record this season, finishing 11th all-time at NCSU with a 22-7 record.
The resolution says Johnston was recognized as a Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American and the National College Baseball Writers Association Freshman All-American. He was part of the ACC All-Freshman Team in 2018.
“… Mr. Johnston has represented his home county and hometown of Enfield well at the college level and will continue to do so on the national stage at the professional level,” the resolution says. “ … Mr. Johnston serves as a role model for young athletes by exhibiting natural skill coupled with hard work and dedication both on the field and in the classroom.”
