Holt High School Spring Sports Preview

Practice has kicked off for Spring sports at , as coaches and athletes hope to finish off the school year with successful seasons of baseball, track, and girl’s soccer, among other activities.

Here is a preview of the teams Holt will field this season:

Track and Field

Some exciting news gets things started for the track teams, as boy’s competitor, Kenny Cushing, signed just recently with the University of Missouri to join the Tigers’ track squad. Cushing hopes his senior year will extend his success from season, when he finished first at conference in the 800 and 1600 meter runs.

On the girl’s side, sophomore Nataliyah Friar is coming off a big freshman season, in which she took first in conference in the 100, 200,  long jump, and triple jump competitions. Coach Craig Kinnery also expects his team to be strong in the 1600 meter relay.

Baseball

Coach Joel Adam enjoys the return of some key players from a team that finished last season 20-8. Seniors Conner Hales, Nolan Fisher, and Kyle Warrington form the nucleus of the squad’s leadership. Fisher will look to improve on a 6-1 record last season, and an ERA of 2.52.

The team will also welcome back juniors Ben Snarr, who batted .402 last season, and  Dylan Skinner, who hopes to add to his total of three home runs in 2010. Snarr is considered one of the top juniors in the metro area, and his played varsity since his freshman year.

Girl’s Soccer

Coach Nicholson’s team is looking to bounce back from a challenging 6-14 finish, last season. Fortunately, the squad returns 13 varsity players, including senior forward Holly Smothers. Smothers will be joined up top by junior Julie Ireland.

Nicholson points to the midfield as a big part of his hopes for success in 2011.

“In the midfield, we are confident that the play making abilities of juniors, Taylor Goddard and Courtney Ferguson, in the center, will provide us with more offensive punch this season,” said Nicholson.

Holt’s defense suffered losses due graduation, but juniors Meghan Potthoff, Taylor Park, Melissa Patchin, and sophomore Brittney Crain will help the team stabilize in back. 

It appears the goalkeeper position is in play between junior Amber Boehme, sophomore Abby Rowan, and freshmen Kelsey Buford.

“All three have the talent and ability to keep us in games and make big saves,” said Nicholson. 

Boy’s Golf

The golf team will look to senior Corey Robertson, who took third place last summer in the Gateway Junior PGA tournament. Coach Michael Jarrett considers Robertson the clear leader of the squad. Additionally, senior Jon Alexander will return as a standout for the squad in 2011.

Boy’s Tennis 

Holt has looked to its double’s tennis teams for success in the past, and junior Conner Bunch returns as the squad’s go-to player for doubles. Bunch qualified for state last year.

"We finished second in our district last year, and we are hoping for a strong showing again this year," said Coach Jake Adams. "Some key returning players are juniors Kevin Ashley, Conner Bunch and Jacob Ostby, and senior Dylan Read."