By Ember McElrath 

Hooker High School junior, Hollie Stalder, is already making her mark on the people around her with her great leadership and personal character. Hollie is a busy student as she is involved in FCA as the president, a member of student council, point guard for basketball, and a runner for the track and cross country teams. 

“Sports is a way of life for me,” said Hollie. “A place I can compete and push myself to the limits.”

Getting into sports because she just wanted to do anything and everything that her older siblings did. Growing up with a coach as a dad might have had something to do with it too. 

“I grew up with a coach for a dad so my whole family is very involved with athletics,” Hollie said. “My brothers and sister and I have always been competitive so we fueled each other as motivation.” 

When Hollie is feeling the pressure to do well or just overwhelmed in life she likes to go for a run, get her frustrations out with a great workout, or spend time with the people that love her. 

One of her happy places is her track practices. She runs the mile relay, as well as the mile and two mile opens. 

“I love practice because we get to cut loose and have fun until it is time to get to work and hit times,” Hollie said. 

Her biggest supports and inspirations are her track coach and dad. 

“They have both helped me as an athlete so much and taught me so many valuable lessons,” Hollie said. 

Her best memories in her athletic career so far would be all of her state competitions.

“They have either left me with an achievement I was proud of, or a chip on my shoulder to push me through the next season,” Hollie said. 

After high school she would love to continue her athletic career into college either playing basketball or running track.