For most student-athletes, hard work and practice pays off. Some, however, have to overcome much more.

For Gibault’s Johnny Lebert, playing sports means much more than practicing on the court.

Johnny was born with a physical disability that required him to have multiple surgeries when he was a baby.

When he was born, his feet were turned in a different direction than they should’ve been.

His father, Tony Lebert, said it happens in about one of every 1,000 births.

“It can be due to the position the baby is in the uterus,” Tony said. “We were worried when he was first born, but they said it wasn’t too uncommon.”

When Johnny was about four days old, he began therapy at the hospital.

“They stretched his feet and would cast them in a quick-set cast,” Tony said. “They told us to come back in four days and do it again.”

Johnny continued this process for a while, and when he was a year old, he had his first surgery on his Achilles tendon.

“After that, it was much better,” Tony said. “But he’s had multiple surgeries on each foot to get it more corrected.”

Tony is glad his son doesn’t remember the worst parts of the process when he was very young because of the constant care and therapy.

“I’m glad he doesn’t remember it, because I wouldn’t want that for him,” Tony said. “It’s hard to take your 4-day-old baby in to the hospital to have work done on him.”

Johnny was little when the majority of the surgeries took place, but his most recent one was five years ago.

“The doctors said he wouldn’t be able to run as fast because of the tendon surgery, but he’s still pretty quick,” Tony said.

Johnny has played basketball and tennis, been a part of track and field and is now playing golf for Gibault.

“We weren’t sure when he wanted to play tennis because of how active the sport is, and being on a hard court is rough,” Tony said. “But he has never let this stop him. He’s gotten through a lot to get to where he is today.”

Although he gets sore after playing tennis or basketball for a few hours or during a tournament, it’s a sacrifice he’s willing to make.

“I’ve always loved sports,” Johnny said. “It’s just a part of my life.”

Though he didn’t play basketball last year, he was one of the broadcasters of the varsity games via HTC.

“I loved being a part of the sport even though I wasn’t playing,” Johnny said. “I feel like I’m on the team.”

This year, his senior year at Gibault, Johnny decided to play golf.

“I’ve always enjoyed watching it on TV, and it’s fun to be able to go play golf after school,” he said.

His coach, Steve Bergheger, speaks very highly of Johnny’s attitude and dedication to golf.

“He’s one of the most pleasant kids to be around,” Bergheger said. “He tries very hard and is always smiling.”

Though Johnny doesn’t know where he plans on attending college just yet, he has several college visits coming up.

He plans to play intermural sports in college “just for fun,”  with an intended major in communications.