This week's Athletes to Know features Whitmore Lake junior golfer Emma Salata and Pioneer junior hurdler Drake Johnson.

Salata plays against, and often beats, boys. Johnson beats anyone who steps to the line.

School: Whitmore Lake High School.

Class: Junior.

Sport: Golf.

Accomplishment: Because Whitmore Lake does not have a girls golf team, Salata has played with the boys -- and from the blue tees -- this season. She has played in the No. 1 slot for the Trojans and has a season average of 39.9, the best on the team and third best in the Tri-County Conference. Whitmore Lake was co-champions of the TCC this season and Salata qualified as an individual for a Division 3 regional after shooting an 85 in a district tournament at Gross Ile Golf and Country Club last week. Salata will attempt to qualify for the state tournament on Friday at Rustic Glen Golf Course in Saline.

Favorite music: Country. Her favorite artist is Keith Urban, but favorite song at the moment is “Whatever it is” by the Zac Brown band.

Scholar athlete: Salata is a Whitmore Lake student on paper, but 100 percent of her classes are at Eastern Michigan University, through the school’s Early College Alliance program. Salata is on pace to graduate high school with 72 college credit hours.

Favorite athlete: PGA golfer Phil Mickelson.

Favorite sport besides golf: Volleyball. Salata doesn’t play for Whitmore Lake, but does play on her church team.

Future plans: Salata hopes to be a dentist.

Coach Larry Thistlewhite says: “The teams we haven’t played before, they’re a little surprised when they see her in our number one spot. But then she tees off and from there her game speaks for itself.”

School: Pioneer High School.

Class: Junior.

Sport: Track.

Accomplishment: For the second year in row, Johnson won the Division 1 MHSAA state championship in the 110-meter hurdles. Though Johnson said Saturday’s heat kept him from being at his best, his time of 13.73 seconds was the fastest in the state in any division by nearly half a second. Johnson was undefeated in the event all season.

Favorite music: Hip hop, particularly Big Sean and Drake.

Out of character: The two-time state champ has been known to flash a No. 1 signal at the finish line, but said people get the wrong impression of him from his exploits on the track or football field. “I guess in athletics I am (cocky), but other than that, I’m really relaxed all the time. Everyone expects me to be all eccentric and whimsical, but I’m really relaxed,” Johsnon said.

Future plans: Johnson is still mulling over his college decision, both which school and which sport. Schools like Michigan, Iowa, Penn State and Michigan State have shown interest in him as a football running back. If Johnson decides to go the track route, he said he’d lean toward heading south, if offered a scholarship, so he could enjoy year-round, outdoor training.

Does your school have an "Athlete to Know" walking the halls? Tell us why by sending nominations to petercunningham@annarbor.com.