When Fairview girls lacrosse said goodbye to senior midfielder Cami Johnson at the end of the spring season, it bid farewell to perhaps one of the best players to ever don the crimson jersey.

In her senior year alone with the Knights, Johnson ranked second in Class 5A with 97 points, a statistic she highlighted even more with her 68 goals. She consistently wowed on the field with her ability to cut through defenses and direct her teammates from every corner.

For that, she was named the Daily Camera player of the year and the 5A East league player of the year.

“She’s the most creative player I’ve ever coached,” head coach Kelsey Sheridan said. “She’s always pushing the envelope, she’s always trying new things. When you come to games, it’s super obvious that Cami is one of the strongest players in our state. That’s been awesome for our program. It’s definitely elevated our program. I also think it’s inspired the younger generation.

“Cami loves to shoot behind the back, between her legs. She can really shoot from anywhere, as long as she has the stick in her right, left hand. I haven’t seen it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Cami can go one-handed behind the back.”

Like a true leader, Johnson gave all the credit back to her coaching staff and teammates for the success she and the program have seen since she first moved to Boulder from Florida during her sophomore year.

She believed that beating Valor Christian at the start of the season, a game in which she scored one goal and assisted five more, was the highlight of her career.

“It was incredible,” Johnson said. “I think I walked on during a really good time too. Our team, for the past three years, has just been amazing. The atmosphere has been great. There have always been players who I really look up to on the team.”

With her high school career firmly in the rearview mirror, Johnson will now take her talents to the University of California, Davis, where she hopes make an immediate impact. She believes the Aggies provides the type of culture she’s looking for, one similar to that of the Knights.

From the moment she first picked up a stick, when she was in kindergarten, she always dreamed of playing in college. Now, after years of exhaustive work on her game, she’ll finally get to realize just how far her talents can take her.

Sheridan believes she’ll thrive.

“I think I’m always working on something,” Johnson said. “I’m very self critical, so I’m always trying to do something different. I think I’m a pretty creative player, I’d say, so over the years, I’ve gotten pretty good stick work. I haven’t always been the most athletic, so I’ve been working on my speed and strength. I watch a lot of college lacrosse so I can apply some of those game scenarios into my high school play and club play.

“I’m definitely working hard. I think my role is definitely going to change, so I’m just trying to become more of a threat all over the field. I don’t want to be a one-dimensional attacker. I’m trying to get better as a dodger and a driver because I have been more of an off-ball player in the past.”