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After claiming back-to-back state championships, Pleasant Home School alumnus Nicholas Holley is off to his next adventure after signing with the University of Mobile on Monday, May 23.

“I am grateful for this opportunity because I have never been outside the small area of Andalusia and feel like it will be a new atmosphere for me to continue and push myself. I get to continue throwing the javelin at the University of Mobile because I enjoy the sport and the track and field community. It will be a new experience for me to grow as a person and in my faith. It has a good academic system and will set me up for success. I look forward to meeting new people, having new opportunities, and working under a new head coach,” Holley said.

He selected UM mostly because of its student academics. “The athletic department was very straightforward, simplistic, and well-organized. I chose this university because they wanted to have me and were willing to take a chance on me.”

Holley started running cross-country and track with his sister in the seventh grade.

“I did javelin just to do something with her, and it turned out to be something I really enjoyed. Throwing javelin made me feel more like myself and open, which allowed me to embrace myself.”

He feels attending UM will allow him to grow and see what his capabilities are.

“As a student who wants to continue to be an athlete in college, it means the world to me. I get to have a routine that includes working on my studies and working on advancing myself in a sport I enjoy.”

He captured consecutive state championships and threw for a distance of 170.5 feet as a senior in 2022. Holley finished third in the state and was ranked 65th nationally.

“Javelin has given me an opportunity to find myself and to explore things I never knew about. It introduced me to many people in Covington County’s track and field program. It has been an honor to make it to the state championship these past two years and was a great way to end it. I was honored to compete against high-level competition,” he said.

Although he looks forward to the next chapter, he will miss his Pleasant Home memories.

“The atmosphere is very relaxing and family-oriented. It allows you to be yourself and grow as a person. I want to thank God the Father for blessing me with these opportunities. I thank Him for never letting me give up and for teaching me to be respectful and humble. I am thankful for all the opportunities I’ve been presented with and blessed with many I didn’t even know were going to come.”

Holley learned several things from the PHS coaching staff. “I’ve learned to take my time, figure out my priorities, and attack them head-on. Coach (Tony) Wilson was a big role in my high school career and taught me to be on top of things in life,” he said.

His biggest highlight was winning two state championships. “I realized no one is holding you back, and it opened my eyes to that fact. It is my responsibility to achieve what I want.”

Holley said he received support from all his family members in their own ways.

“I love them for it, and they helped me get to where I am today. I would not be the person I am without them. My friends have helped inspire me to push myself even when I didn’t feel like it. I had a great support system all the way. Everyone has been a big involvement in my life to shape me into the person I am today. Without the experiences I’ve had, I couldn’t be who I am.”

He is the son of Al and Charlotte Holley with a sister, Camille Holley, and graduated from PHS on Thursday, May 26.

“I can’t say enough about Nicholas and his contributions to our program. He helped make our program successful not only as a competitor but took on the role of teacher/mentor to the younger athletes who also want to compete in the javelin. He has a tremendous work ethic. He works out almost every day focusing on different areas each day to strengthen and tone to be in the best shape for competition meets. I know he will make an immediate impact for the University of Mobile and their program, and I look forward to watching him progress even more through his college career. I am very proud of Nicholas and all of his accomplishments and how he has represented himself and Pleasant Home School throughout his high school career,” PHS Head Track Coach Tony Wilson said.