In a wrestling season in which Columbus North hasn’t had a great amount of team success, the Bull Dogs have a few wrestlers who have been bright spots.
One of those is Nick Holt.
The senior 170-pounder, who was a regional qualifier last year, has been one of North’s top performers this season heading into tonight’s match with Columbus East.
“Being a higher grade up and basically being the top of the school really gives you a level of confidence. You start getting confident in your shots and your takedowns. You start figuring what you can do really well, and you stick with it,” Holt said. “You find that move that you know you can do very well. You stay with it and keep going.”
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Holt has improved his wrestling, and that has made him one of the Bull Dogs’ top wrestlers this season.
“Nick has really made some big strides between last year and this year in just about every position,” North coach Matt Joyce said. “It’s been really fun to see him wrestle with the confidence that he’s had this year. I always know that when Nick goes out there, he’s going to give everything he’s got. That’s the expectation I have for everyone, and he’ll always come through on that.”
One aspect that Joyce likes about Holt is his strong work ethic.
“He is a worker,” Joyce said. “His record is complimentary of what he does in the room. He comes in and does what he is supposed to do and a little more.”
Being a senior, Holt hopes to make a positive impact on his younger teammates.
“I remember coming into my freshman year, we had some really nice captains, and I still look up to them,” Holt said. “I hope that the freshmen coming into this year can look at me the same way.”
For now, Holt hopes to cherish every moment he steps on the mat in his final year with the Bull Dogs.
Holt is undecided still about where he wants to attend college, but he will not totally rule out wrestling if the right opportunity arises.
“I wanted to focus on (my high school) wrestling career first,” Holt said. “Then, I’ll take things one step at a time.”
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Columbus East at Columbus North wrestling
When: 7:30 p.m. today (Club and middle school wrestling begins at 5:15 p.m., followed by junior varsity matches at 6:30 p.m.)
Where: Columbus North High School
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