Johnny Buchanan, a freshman on The Master’s University men’s volleyball team, has not let Cystic Fibrosis (CF), nor being immunocompromised in the age of COVID, prevent him from developing his mind and body. His condition has always made sports difficult, even before COVID, because CF has an adverse effect on lungs, cardiovascular health, growth, and life expectancy.

However, the pandemic presented additional challenges for Buchanan, who has lived his whole life understanding that he is always at risk. When COVID hit in the middle of his senior year at West Ranch High School in Valencia, California, it disrupted his college and volleyball plans. He decided to attend a local community college, where he did not play volleyball, before transferring this year to The Master’s University. Through his strong Christian faith, Johnny has stayed resilient mentally through the numerous challenges caused by his CF, including isolation from peers when needing to undergo multiple breathing treatments a day. He prays, reads his Bible, and regularly attends church services to bring him peace and comfort in the trials he faces. On the court, he was the starting setter on the nation’s 12th -ranked National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) men’s volleyball team, finishing fourth in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) in assists/set, while setting single-match and single-season program records for assists. He helped lead the Mustangs to a 13-11 record and a berth in the GSAC championship game, where their magical run ended with a loss to Ottawa University in Arizona. In the classroom, the Kinesiology and Physical Education major has recorded straight A’s, managing to find a balance of living his life while taking precautions to stay safe.

“While the rest of the world has seen the dangers of COVID the past couple of years, this is really all I’ve ever known,” said Buchanan, who is a native of Honolulu. “That first year of college, I realized how much I missed competing and the grind of training. Coming to The Master’s University has allowed me to continue my desire to develop my body, mind, and spirit for the glory of Christ.”
Johnny Buchanan, The Master’s University