John Routzahn, a senior at Worthington Christian High School on the north side of Columbus, Ohio, is featured in today’s Columbus Dispatch’s “Going to School” feature. Worthington Christian is a ministry of Grace Polaris Church, a Grace Brethren congregation led by Mike Yoder. A portion of the article appears below. Click here to read the complete story and view the accompanying video.
Age: 19
Class: Senior
Grade-point average: 3.7
Sport: Basketball
College interests: He has visited Wooster, Wittenberg, Bluffton and Capital and also is interested in Mount Vernon Nazarene and John Brown. He wants to play basketball and possibly study health and nutrition.
Question: Coach Kevin Weakley said you made 153 consecutive free throws in practice.
Answer: I try to make at least 500 shots a day. I start with 100 to 150 free throws. Thanksgiving morning, I got up early and went to the gym. I did knock down 153 in a row. I guess that was my reward for getting up early on a holiday. I was sitting there with my aunts and uncles in the living room and saying, “This isn’t right. I’ve got to go to the gym.’’ So I went to Polaris Christian Academy, where my father (Freddie) coaches, and shot for 90 minutes. I make sure I’m getting better every day.
Q: I’ve heard that you don’t start or finish anything without extreme focus.
A: There is a bible verse, Colossians 3:23, that reads, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart for the Lord, rather than for men.” If it’s basketball, do it the best you can. If it’s schoolwork, do it the best you can. If it’s for your family or friends, do it the best you can.
Click here to read the complete story.