Then it all came crashing down, or so it may have seemed. In a victory over Elk City last Tuesday, Holt injured his foot on a freak basketball play. While he was worried, it was not until the the following day that he realized how bad the injury really was.
"I found out the next morning that I had broken it," Holt said. "I was trying not to tear up when he said I would be out six to eight weeks. That is the whole season. Last Tuesday was my last game."
With his Bulldogs competing in the 34th Annual Shortgrass Tournament over the weekend, all Holt could do was sit by with a cast on his foot and cheer his squad on. It's not a position the multi-talented athlete is used to being in.
"I felt the season was going good," Holt said. "I was helping the team out . Somebody on the team will have to step up. I'm going to have to encourage them from now on. That is all I can do."
While having to miss the rest basketball season is a tough situation for the highly-competive Holt, it is not the end of his athletic career.
Next year Holt plans to play college football. The only question is where he will be playing. Both Tulsa University and the University of Central Oklahoma have expressed interest in him. But it is the University of Kansas that is at the top of Holt's list, for now.
Holt took his official visit to Kansas on Friday and said the coaching staff had no worries about any lingering effects from his injury.
Even though the Jayhawks are Holt's No. 1 choice, he said he going to weigh his options.
"The deciding factor will be who has the best schlorship offer," Holt said. "Kansas has a big interest in me and I have a interest in the Big 12."
When football season began this year, Holt (6-2, 198) was slotted to play wide receiver for the Dogs. But a change in the offense forced him to slide over to quarterback.
The risky move paid off. After leading the Bulldogs to the first-round playoffs before losing to Shawnee, Holt earned All-State recognition. He was also named the Offensive player of the year in District 5A-1.
While moving to quarterback may have hurt his chances with some schools, Holt was sure he would still get a schlorship offer.
"When football began, I was pretty confident," Holt said. "I was getting letters from seven to eight schools. I knew one would take me."
A scholorship for Holt would mean more than just being able to continue his football career. It would be a significant accomplishment for him and his family.
"It will be pretty big," Holt said. "On my mom's side, I think no one has ever graduated or attended college. Me being the first would be pretty important."
No matter what school Holt chooses, he feels he can contribute significantly. From his work ethic to his playmaking ability, he said he wants to bring "a little Altus tradition' to where ever he goes.
Most likely Holt will play free-safety at the college level. He said it will be a difficult transition not having the ball in his hands every play, but at least he will get to hit somebody and try and get the ball back that way.
"Basically, if you give me the ball, I will get the job done," Holt said. "My two favorite sayings are 'Just born to make plays,' and 'Don't settle for being good when you dream of being great.'"
sports@altustimes.com
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