Kristi Overton Johnson

Kristi Overton Johnson (born February 16, 1970) is an American former water skiing champion, author, and missionary. Competing professionally between 1983 and 2005, Overton Johnson accumulated 80 pro victories.

Kristi Overton Johnson
Personal information
Birth nameKristi Overton
Born (1970-02-16) February 16, 1970
Greenville, North Carolina, US
Education
Alma materUniversity of Florida College of Law
OccupationFormer water skiing champion, author, and missionary
Years active1983–2005
Height5 ft 7.5 in (171 cm)
Spouse(s)
Tim Johnson
​
(m. 1994)​
Sport
SportWater skiing
Medal record
Women's water skiing
Representing  United States
World Championships
Gold medal – first place1999 MilanSlalom
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place1999 ManitobaSlalom

Athletic career

Overton Johnson was born in Greenville, North Carolina and started water skiing competitively at the age of five. She became professional at the age of 13.[1][2] During her athletic career, Overton Johnson competed in the slalom, accumulating 80 pro-victories and more number 1 world rankings than any other female water skier.[3] She was the holder of the women's world slalom record from 1992-2010.[4] She is an eight-time U.S. Masters Champion, four-time U.S. Open Champion, and 1999 World Champion.[5]

She was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.[6] She is one of five women featured in the North Carolina Women in Sports Display at the NC Sports Hall of Fame at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh.[7] In 2013, she was inducted into the USA Water Ski Hall of Fame.[8] In 2017, she was inducted into the International Water Ski & Wakeboard Federation Hall of Fame.[9]

Education

Overton Johnson attended the University of Central Florida completing a Bachelor of Arts.[10] She went on to attend the University of Florida College of Law where she earned a Juris Doctor.[1]

Ministries and works

In 2003, Overton Johnson founded In His Wakes, which is a Christian-based water sports ministry.[11] She later founded Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries and Victorious Living Magazine, a publication of KOJM. Victorious Living Magazine is a quarterly publication that is distributed within the US prison system. [12]

Overton Johnson published her first book in 2004, titled Running the Course: Becoming a Champion in God's Eyes.[13] She published her second book, Hit it!: Your Victory May Just be One "Hit it" Away!, in 2015.[14] Victorious Living Magazine is published quarterly.

Personal life

She lives in Keystone Heights, FL with her husband, Tim, and three children.

Her father, V. Parker Overton, founded Overton's Inc. in Greenville in 1975 and became known as the world's largest water sports dealer.[15] The company was eventually acquired by Camping World Holdings.[16]

Lake Kristi, a man-made lake located in Grimesland, North Carolina, is named after her and was specifically designed for water skiing.[17] It is privately owned by her father but it serves as the home course for East Carolina University's men's and women's cross country teams.[17]

Achievements
Major Championships
Masters 1985, 1986, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2002
U.S. Open 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000
U.S. Nationals 1996
World Championships 1999
Pan American Games 1999

References
  1. "Kristi Overton Johnson". North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  2. "Getting To Know…Kristi Overton Johnson". Carolina Country. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  3. "Kristi Overton Johnson". North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  4. "IWWF Records". www.iwsf.com. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  5. "Athletic Career". Kristi Overton Johnson. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  6. "8 named to North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame". WCNC. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  7. "NC Sports Hall of Fame announces five updated displays - Salisbury Post". Salisbury Post. January 31, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  8. "Kristi Overton Johnson | Inducted in 2013". www.usa-wwf.org. USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  9. "From Water Skiing to Prison, a Knight Makes an Impact | University of Central Florida News". University of Central Florida News | UCF Today. September 5, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  10. Writer, SHERRI WINSTON, Staff. "UCF SEEKS TO HOLD OFF OLD GUARD". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved October 15, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. "'A new story': Building Hope graduates now mentoring the next generation - Daily Reflector". www.reflector.com. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  12. "About Kristi". Kristi Overton Johnson. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  13. Overton Johnson, Kristi (2004). Running the Course: Becoming a Champion in God's Eyes. B & H Pub Group. ISBN 0805430482.
  14. Overton Johnson, Kristi (2015). Hit it!: Your Victory May Just be One "Hit it" Away!. Kristi Overton Johnson. ISBN 978-0692229408.
  15. "Overton's building to house camping, outdoor supercenter - Daily Reflector". www.reflector.com. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  16. "Camping World Announces Acquisition of Gander Mountain and Overton Assets". www.businesswire.com. May 1, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  17. "Facilities". East Carolina University Athletics. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
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