Whether it’s fishing, playing Frisbee golf or bombing down the slopes on Big Mountain, Brad Holmgren loves being outdoors. But it’s on the soccer field – or “the pitch” as Holmgren refers to it – that the Glacier High School senior really shines.
“Playing (soccer) has never been optional,” he said. “It’s always been there.”
Holmgren explained the mental strength and concentration the game requires.
“When you’re on the pitch, it’s a different level of focus,” said Holmgren. “Teammates and you gel. It’s hard to explain. It’s constant. It’s always one thing after another mentally.”
This year Holmgren is working at his skills for the first time as the midfield center on varsity, a position that utilizes his vision of the field mixed with above-average ball handling and control.
Holmgren attributes some of his growth as a player to a torn MCL, an injury that occurred while skiing his sophomore year.
“Working through it was frustrating,” he said. “It caused me to think outside the box. I would watch Jared Rice (a former Glacier teammate) always doing awesome things, picking up on every little thing I could and then try and apply it to my game rather than only doing what I was comfortable with.”
Holmgren thanks his coaches, Ryan O’Rourke and Cliff Bell, for his growth as well.
“They want you to watch soccer, play soccer and make it a part of your life,” he said. “They teach you how to love it.”