Holmes a pillar of strength
Maggie Holmes is a junior defender for the Burnt Hills field hockey team.
HIGH SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
A three-year varsity performer, Holmes is a key component for a program seeking a ninth straight Section II Class B title this fall after the 2020 sectionals were canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Burnt Hills dropped its first Suburban Council contest this season Friday with a 2-0 loss at Shenendehowa.
The Spartans return to league action Monday with a contest at Shaker.
We have gone back to a somewhat normal schedule this season. When you think back on it, how difficult was it to navigate the 2020 season dealing with COVID -19?
It was definitely a challenge not being able to spend time with the team outside of games and practices. We couldn’t get together and really form that bond. Even though we were able to form great connections, we weren’t able to have our sectionals. It wasn’t the same. We’re eight-time sectional champions, so to not have that was kind of difficult. Not being able to build our connections outside of games was difficult. I still think we had a great season.
You were fortunate in the sense the Suburban Council held league playoffs. Now that we have sectionals back, how much are you looking forward to having the playoffs to point toward?
We are really looking forward to that. It is going to be great competition this year. Not having it last year is really going to motivate us to do our best and play really tough.
The team was on an incredible roll until Friday. You beat Shenendehowa the first time you played and the Plainsmen got you on Friday. What is the rivalry like with Shen and how much does it mean for your program?
Both programs are really competitive and very fierce. It is always a good game. The rivalry is insane. It is always a big day when we play Shen. They’re a great team, so we always know we have to step it up and compete to the best of our abilities.
What was it about the sport that attracted you to play?
I had a bunch of friends that were in the program. The coaching is incredible at Burnt Hills. All of the coaches with each program are great. They really strive to build tough great athletes and that kind of drew me in as a little kid knowing one day I would be on that varsity team and being coached by amazing coaches. It was really motivating. It really brought me to the program.
When kids are younger and are aware of a program’s winning tradition, it tends to attract more athletes. It that something that brought you in as well?
Absolutely 100 percent. I would go to varsity field hockey games as I was younger and would see these incredible athletes competing. That really made me want to continue with the sport and make it to that team one day.
Was defense something you always played coming up, or did you switch to the position later in your career?
I was always kind of a versatile player. I played offense on modified. As I moved along in my field hockey career, I sort of naturally switched to defense. I played defensive mid in seventh and eighth grade. When I got to varsity, it just sort of naturally happened. The defense position was there and that is where I was stuck. I really enjoy it, actually, so I was fortunate it happened.
I think with field hockey and lacrosse, defense can be really difficult given each sport’s parameters. Is it a challenge you accept?
Yes, defense is definitely a challenge having that pressure on you to not let the ball in the cage. I like to step up to that challenge and push myself. To me, the pressure is motivating.
The program has won eight sectional titles in a row with a chance to get to nine. How much does it mean for the team to keep that train rolling along in a positive manner?
It is highly important to us at Burnt Hills. It is what we strive for each year. When you are on varsity, you really focus on the sectional title during the season. It is a big part of our program. We are really excited to be playing it this year. We’re really working hard to make that ‘9P’ happen.