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Ian Johnson overcomes loss of parents by following their advice

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Photo by Dan Lassiter

Milton High sophomore Ian Johnson took second place at state at 160 lbs.

MILTON — In the summer of 2006, Ian Johnson was on top of the world.

The 13-year-old wrestling phenom won his sport’s elusive triple crown by capturing state titles in Greco-Roman, Freestyle and Folkstyle tournaments.

Johnson’s world, however, was thrown for a reversal Dec. 29, 2006. His parents, K-Tal and Shelly, died in an traffic accident in Indiana. Ian was a passenger in the back seat as the closely knit family returned home over the holidays.

Ian escaped with minor cuts and bruises, but time is the only treatment for his emotional wounds.

How do you ever replace the two most important people in your life, especially when you never got the chance to say goodbye?

“More than anything, I miss being together with them, especially at family events,” Ian said of his parents. “That’s where we got to see everybody, and everybody was having a good time.

“It’s hard, but I’m a happy person because of what they taught me. Now, my job is to live my life to the fullest, make the best out of each and every situation, and make them proud.”

Mom and Dad would be more than proud of what their son has accomplished—both on and off the wrestling mat.

Ian capped off a stellar individual sophomore season at Milton High School by finishing second at 160 pounds in the WIAA Division 1 state tournament last weekend. Underclassmen tend to dominate the lower weights at the state meet, but it’s rare for a 160-pound sophomore to advance to the state finals.

Where do Ian’s athletic drive and determination come from?

Ian can thank his father.

A tireless worker with tree trunks for legs and a chiseled upper body, K-Tal was a three-sport star and American Legion Athletic Medal winner at Janesville Parker in 1982. Ian is a spitting image.

“I don’t ever get tired of hearing that, and I hear it about every day,” Ian said of his strong physical resemblance to his father.

Ian has dealt with his parents’ death in his own way. He says a prayer before each match, telling his parents he loves them and promising to do his best. With everything he has been through, he has learned to handle losing—as rare as it—beyond his years.

“There’s no point of throwing a tantrum if you lose,” Ian said. “Mom and Dad taught me that there are lessons to be learned in everything we do, and so that’s what I try to do after a loss. I learn from it.

“Dan Gable said that if you wrestle, everything else in life is easy. I believe that.”

K-Tal was a firefighter in Madison, while Shelly worked as a unit clerk at Mercy Hospital. Ian wants nothing more than to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a firefighter.

The outpouring of support after the accident was immense. The Madison Fire Department, where K-Tal was a member, was at the top of the list.

K-Tal’s comrades haven’t forgotten about Ian, either. After Saturday night’s championship bout, Ian’s vehicle was blocked by a fire truck. A parade of Madison firefighters got off the truck to tell Ian how proud they were of him and how proud his parents would’ve been.

“With everything that has happened, I’ve got a whole new family out of this,” Ian said. “A lot of good friends.”

Ian lives with his grandmother, Shelly’s mom, Vicky. Todd and Sally Herrington also serve as guardians.

Ian Johnson’s world changed Dec. 29, 2006. Wrestling, however, has offered him an escape from the chaos of that day. His success suggests the tragedy has made him stronger.