After winning back-to-back state championships, Pleasant Home School alumnus Nicholas Hooley set out on his next adventure after signing with Mobile University on Monday, May 23.
“I am grateful for this opportunity because I didn’t go outside the small area of Andalusia and I feel it will be a new atmosphere for me to continue and push myself. I can continue to throw javelins at Mobile University because I love the sport and the athletics community. It will be a new experience for me to grow as a person and in my faith. It has. A good academic discipline and you will prepare me for success. Holly said I look forward to meeting new people, getting new opportunities and working with a new head coach.
Nicholas Holley was named Pleasant Home Track State Champion by Superintendent Shannon Driver and Covington County School Board.
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He chose UM primarily because of its undergraduate students. “The sports department was very simple, simple and well organized. I chose this university because they wanted to host me and they were ready to take my chance.
Holly started a cross-country run and trailblazing with her sister in the seventh grade.
“I just threw the javelin to do something with her, and it turned out to be something I really enjoyed. Throwing the javelin made me feel more and more open to myself, allowing me to embrace myself.”
He believes that going to UM will allow him to grow and know his abilities.
“As a student who wants to continue to be an athlete in college, it means the world to me. I have a routine that includes working on my studies and progressing in a sport I love.
He won back-to-back state championships and threw 170.5 feet in 2022. Holly finished third in the state and ranked 65th nationally.
“Javelin gave me the opportunity to find myself and explore things I didn’t know. This introduced me to a lot of people on the Covington County Athletics Program. I’ve had the honor of qualifying for the state championships over the past two years and it’s been a great way to finish it. It was an honor to compete against a competition at the highest level,” he said. “.
Although he is looking forward to the next chapter, he will miss his memories of Pleasant Home.
“The atmosphere is very comfortable and family friendly. It allows you to be yourself and grow as a person. I would like to thank God the Father for blessing me with these opportunities. I thank him for never letting me give in and for teaching me to be respectful and humble. I’m grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had and I’m fortunate to have so many that I didn’t know were coming.
Holly learned several things from the coaching staff at PHS. “I learned to take my time, set my priorities and deal with them head on. Coach (Tony) Wilson was a huge part of my high school career and taught me how to be on top of life,” he said.
His highlight was winning two state championships. “I realized that no one was stopping you, and I opened my eyes to this fact. It is my responsibility to achieve what I want.
Holly said he has received support from all of his family in their own way.
“I love them for that, and they have helped me get to where I am today. I wouldn’t be the person I am without them. My friends helped me inspire me to push myself even when I didn’t feel like it. I had a great support system the whole time. Everyone in my life has been involved in making me the person that I am.” I am today. Without the experiences I’ve been through, I couldn’t be who I am.
He is the son of Al and Charlotte Holly with sister Camille Holly, graduating from PHS on Thursday, May 26.
“I cannot say enough good things about Nicholas and his contributions to our program. He has contributed to the success of our program not only as a competitor, but has taken on the role of mentor/mentor for young athletes who also want to compete in the javelin. He has a great work ethic. He trains every day Virtually focusing on different areas each day to strengthen and align him to be in top condition for competitions.I know he will have an immediate impact on Mobile University and its program, and I look forward to seeing him progress even further in his academic career.PHS Director Tony Wilson said, “I am very proud of Nicholas and all the His accomplishments and how he represented himself and Pleasant Home School throughout his high school career.”
