Congratulations to Anneliese King '17 and Annelise Kotz '17 for their commitment to compete in Division I athletics next year. Today the girls sign their National Letters of Intent (NLI) from their future institutions. This letter is a binding agreement between the student-athlete and the institution agreeing they will compete for their school in exchange for financial aid. The terms of each letter have been agreed upon with each student-athlete and their future coach. The girls have all given a verbal commitment to these terms and today they make the agreement official by signing the NLI.
Anneliese King – University of Minnesota, Crew
Anneliese decided that she wanted to pursue rowing her junior year. After looking at a variety of schools that fit her academic and athletic interests, she was down to Duquesne University and Minnesota. Anneliese described how she fell in love with the university on her first tour and during her official visit. She enjoyed the urban yet closed campus and enjoys the diversity of the faculty and staff.
"Academically Holton has instilled a very strong sense of time management throughout my four years. Playing two varsity sports forced me to truly evaluate how to best manage my workload and also my training which I think is imperative for collegiate athletics, specifically a DI institution." Anneliese adds that, "from my very first day Holton crew coaches were amazingly motivational and encouraging, working with me to reach my training and fitness goals. But their coaching extended beyond just rowing... At times when I did not feel like I could do another workout or make the correct time it was my coaches that pushed me through and I will be forever grateful to Coach Braun for sparking my love for crew and to Coach Acerra for helping me to reach my collegiate dreams."
Annelise Kotz – William & Mary, Lacrosse
Annelise has always dreamt of playing lacrosse in college, but it wasn't until she was in Middle School when she realized how hard it would actually be. So, she dedicated herself to becoming the best she could be and prioritized her life so she could one day play her favorite sport at the highest collegiate level. At the end of the process she was left with some options at William & Mary and Colgate. Their school saying, "One Tribe, One Family," really resonated with Annelise, in addition to checking all her boxes for the perfect athletic and academic school.
Annelise credits Holton to helping her become a critical thinker and helping her find her voice in the classroom. Annelise says that Holton athletics has, "taught me to be confident in everything I do and to never give up. The athletic department at Holton is so special and I am so lucky to be surrounded by such supportive teammates and coaches."
Annelise wanted to especially thank her coaches and mentors, "The coaches at Holton have helped shape who I am as an athlete and a person. They push me and challenge me to become a better, harder working athlete every day. No matter what sport, they really care about me not only as a player, but also as a person. Coach McCormick, Coach Groseclose, Coach Fernandes, and Coach Roth have been a huge part of my life at Holton and I am so grateful for everything they have done for me."