By Mason Quigley

Ryan Holdych (‘24) is a lifetime sports enthusiast. Holdych has played a plethora of sports, including football, lacrosse, baseball, basketball, skiing, and golf. He has been an avid fan of the Georgia Bulldogs since birth, supporting them through their long journey to back-to-back national championships, and it’s where start college in the fall. As a child, Holdych threw himself into anything involving competition, enjoying playing all the sports his parents would sign him up for. Upon his entrance to Middle School, he narrowed his sports interests to football, basketball, and lacrosse, while also skiing as a hobby. As he described in his Senior Speech in February, he loves to compete on the slopes with his older brothers, fueling his competitive drive.

In his first-ever season as a Collegiate athlete in 7th Grade, Holdych strapped on the shoulder pads and was introduced to the football team. He enjoyed his time climbing the ranks of the Cub and JV football teams both as a standout cornerback and wide receiver. Holdych racked up some rather impressive highlights along the way, including a pick-six against Douglas Freeman High School during the 2021 season. These were the first steps in his journey to eventually becoming the starting safety on the varsity team in 2023. Holdych started his entire Senior season for the Cougars, serving as an aggressive tackler and ball-hawk on the back end of the defense. Holdych said, “I just love the game, man,” and “I set that goal for myself to be the starting safety and was glad that I accomplished it.”

Photo credit: AMCD Visuals.

Holdych displayed excellent perseverance along the way to achieve his goal of becoming a starter. In the spring of 2023 as a Junior, Holdych competed to make the varsity lacrosse team and succeeded. Over the winter, he spent countless hours with fellow players Charles Nolde (‘24), George Kulp (‘24), and Tom Myers (‘24) to be best prepared for the season, but he could not have foreseen what would happen next. 

Shortly after making the team, during an early season practice, Holdych was fouled and pushed to the ground, causing a dislocation of his left elbow. He said, “It was probably the most painful thing that’s ever happened to me.” Forced to the sideline for the rest of the year, Holdych grew frustrated with his injury, saying, “Having my wing bother me every day was the worst.” Although he knew he would not be able to return to the lacrosse field last season, he set his sights on the football field in the fall, where he played through the pain that still lingered from his elbow injury. He was at all the summer workouts, competed in the seven-on-seven games, and dominated in summer practices. Through all of his hard work, Holdych was able to become a true weapon for the Cougars in the 2023 football season. 

Photo credit: Borich Photography.

Next, Holdych looked to the spring athletic season, where he contemplated his future in sports. Holdych, a long-time, talented, yet casual golfer, wondered if he was talented enough to compete with the varsity-level golfers, despite having never played in a true match. He said, “After putting my elbow through so much during football season, I thought it was best for me to not risk re-injuring it,” so he decided to forego lacrosse this spring. “I didn’t feel comfortable with the situation.” He met with the first-year head golf coach, Upper School history teacher Shep Lewis, to discuss the possibility of trying out for the team. Lewis was blunt, yet fair with Holdych, informing him that he would need to regularly shoot 43 or below through nine holes if he wanted a chance. After the discussion, Holdych decided to take the challenge head-on. Despite his love for lacrosse, Holdych fully committed himself to making the golf team this spring, which was no easy feat. 

Over the next few months, Holdych dedicated himself to the game of golf for the first time. He spent hours after school and on the weekends on the driving range, chipping greens, and putting greens, along with playing countless rounds with friends and other golf team members, to best prepare himself for the upcoming season. The rapid growth in his talent and lower scores were apparent to everyone he played with, and he was now scoring in the low 40s consistently, beating friends and whoever wanted to play against him. He had made great strides in his putting and chipping, becoming a much more well-rounded golfer. 

Image credit: Collegiate School via Instagram: @cougarsrva.

In late February, Holdych nervously made his way to the Country Club of Virginia’s Creek Course for tryouts. He said, “I’ve played that course a thousand times, but I was freaking out.” With little knowledge of what he was up against, he “tried to approach every day with confidence and an open mind.” Playing through the cold, wind, and rain, Holdych displayed his talents to the coaches and other players, carding below 43 every day of tryouts, just as Lewis had challenged him. 

Following a stressful week of tryouts, Holdych nervously awaited the news of his future on the golf team. He was the last player to have his name called for a conversation with the coaches. Soon, his nervousness was relieved, as he was informed that he made the team. He said, “I was so relieved; I did not want to have to run track.” 

Holdych is now the only Senior on the golf team. He provides leadership and wisdom day in and day out. He continues to improve his game while improving the chemistry and cohesiveness of the team. Holdych stated, “I view myself as the glue guy, a vibes guy, who will do whatever it takes to help the team while having a good time.” Through his tenacity and determination, he is now the elder statesman on the team and has solidified himself as a member of the 2024 Collegiate varsity golf team.