Hunter Holland chooses St. Anselm for soccer
By Gabriela Todaro
Playing soccer is the passion of WHS senior Hunter Holland. This fall he is planning on playing soccer at St. Anselm College. He plays left defense as well as an outside midfielder.
Holland said he chose St. Anselm because it is close to home, has great academics and a good athletic program that he can fit into easily.
“I didn't really have tryouts but I had to go to ID days where I just played against tons of players,” Holland said. “I stood out to the Saint Anselm coaches so they gave me a full time spot on their soccer team.”
Nick Rowe is the coach for boys varsity soccer and coached Holland since he made the team his freshman year.
“Hunter was a varsity player since his freshman year, even as a freshman he showed great skill and knowledge of the game,” Rowe said. “As he continued to play each year he improved and earned more playing time. By his junior year he was in a starting role for us on our State runner up team.”
Holland said that since he started playing soccer he thought that he could play in college and that he has always had the mindset that was able to play in college.
Holland said he is majoring in business and that he is looking forward to creating new experiences in his life as well as moving to the next level academically and athletically.
“This past year he was one of our captains and most consistent players. He always worked hard for the betterment of the team and program,” Rowe said. “I think it’s a new challenge for Hunter playing in college but I think he will do well based on his work ethic and attitude.”
Holland said that he would thank his parents for spending all the money on him to get to where he is today and always supporting him. He said he would also thank his coaches and his teammates for pushing him to be the best he can be.
Rowe said that the advice he would give to Holland is to give everything he has from day one and enjoy every second of it.
Holland says that he enjoys soccer because it is like another life for him, that he wishes that he can have a ball at his feet constantly. He said his favorite part of soccer is that he can go far.
“I feel like just yesterday I was playing hya soccer and now today I am committed to play in college,” Holland said.
Holland said that Winnacunnet was definitely part of the reason he’s able to play soccer in college.
“I had coaches who recognized my talent since I was a freshman so I was constantly going up against older kids who were bigger and stronger than me,” Holland said. “That just made me push myself harder. My teammates are a big part of why I work so hard because I just want to be the best I can be.”