Ice skating and softball are completely different sports, but despite that, Sofia Holan enjoys them both the same. Both sports require a lot of energy and an optimistic attitude, which she undeniably has, even when she feels under pressure.
Holan’s passion for ice skating began when she was in sixth grade; she started skating because her mother was an ice skating coach. Holan’s mother trained to have fun on the ice while also enforcing her talent for the sport.
“My mom got me into ice skating, which I’m grateful for because it is now something we bond over,” Holan said.
Softball is yet another sport Holan plays on top of ice skating. Holan began playing softball in high school, she first tried out as her sister was on the team.
Despite joining because of her sister’s recommendation, Holan enjoys her time in this sport. She is glad that she tried out and enjoys participating in games and practices.
“I’ve noticed that in all the open gyms you can tell she’s working hard, and she’s a really great teammate and always has a smile on her face. She never lets things get her down,” Casey Williams said.
She talks positively about both sports, both challenging her and forcing her to adapt to different situations. Softball, however, causes her to feel a little pressured due to it being a team sport; she has to rely on her teammates and her teammates rely on her.
Ice Skating is a sport where a single person usually only relies on themselves to perform their best. They don’t need to watch out for other people nor have to rely on them having their back when it’s just a singular person on the ice, making it easier to have more stress-free fun.
“I love my team, but the thought of messing up in front of them is nerve-wracking,” Holan said.
Holan has been on the softball team since she was a freshman at Lakeland, her skills and abilities improving since then. Although she was new to the sport when she first tried out, she easily proved that she deserves her place on the team.
Holan’s skills in ice skating are not only top tier, she only improves as she skates more and more. Her mom’s coaching helped Holan improve faster than in softball and taught her self-trust, proper skating technique, and how to avoid injury.
Holan has impressive skills in both sports even when they both have difficult techniques, especially her ability to power through when things get rough. She’s an inspiration to her friends and pushes them to do their best as well as to do the right thing.
“Both sports hold a special place in my heart despite their differences and I hope to improve in both,” Holan said.