Rocky Mountain women's soccer star Jace Hawley has been hooked on weightlifting lately.
It just so happened to be intense cross-training for her lifelong obsession on the soccer pitch.
“I've always been tall and skinny, but I want people to think, 'Oh, she's actually a beast.'”
That's where Holly's on-field production will be effective.
The University of Colorado signee was better than ever in her senior season, posting nine goals and two assists as a catalyst for the Lobos' offense in a 6-1-1 start.
The midfielder scored two goals and added an assist in the recent intercity win against Fort Collins, narrowly missing out on a hat trick in the first half with a shot that hit the post.
Already a Class 5A All-State first team selection last season, Hawley stepped up to the next level this spring.
“Jace has an incredibly high football IQ that basically puts him in the right position every time,” Rocky Mountain coach Shane Wagner said. “That’s why all the other pieces worked for us.”
Weightlifting is just the gateway to Holly's dedication to training and staying fit in a demanding sport.
It mostly evolved from taking lifting classes in the Rocky Mountains.
“Most students are just taking[the classes]for easy credit, and they're half-hearted,” says friend and teammate Kate McGonagle. “But Jace does everything with a purpose.”
She plays the same way.
Holly is as complete as you'll see at the high school level, seamlessly sliding from controlling passes in the midfield to dropping into defensive lanes and looking for the basket.
She brings tremendous speed, can finish with either foot, plays a brilliant through ball, and her best shots often come from corner angles, which is a rarity in the prep ranks.
That's not surprising, given the versatility she gained from her lifelong career in sports and club experience.
His father, Nick, played at CSU Pueblo (then Southern Colorado), coached Jace throughout much of his youth career, and continues to coach at Arsenal Colorado's youth ranks.
Younger brothers Carson and Cade are already standouts in Colorado's junior ranks. Although her mother Gina didn't play, she's a total convert at this point.
“She's a soccer-obsessed mom now. She's definitely soccer-obsessed,” Jace said with a laugh.
“We're a close-knit family that revolves around soccer. Without them, I wouldn't be the player I am today, growing up that way.”
She dominated the high school game, playing for the Rapids' ECNL (Elite Club National League) team, the best team in Colorado.
Holley's role with the club is not score-oriented, but more of a midfield facilitator, almost akin to quarterback responsibilities.
“At the club, we focus more on passing, moving the ball off the ball, giving the ball away, getting it back. But with the Rockies, we try to dribble more and try to score first. They tend to be aggressive,” Holly said.
“I enjoy the challenge and I like having the ball at my feet.”
Holly definitely has a lot of responsibility for the robots, but she doesn't do it alone.
Rocky Mountain has a deep team with eight seniors, including key players Ali Warner, Josephine Demaret, Addison Osilka, Nikki Gudeman and Peyton Bell.
The Lobos reached the 5A quarterfinals last season, but lost to Fairview, giving the Rockies their third trip to the top eight in five seasons.
The loss motivated Holly to return as a senior, which is not a given for a soccer player of her caliber who already has a prestigious college scholarship in hand.
“I've never made it past (the quarterfinals) in my career, so I wanted to help me take the next step,” she said. “And I really love playing with my friends.”
Holly's play isn't the only way to guide the robots.
There's an energy that straddles the line between passion and clarity, and a focus on preparation that extends to the field.
She is very precise in technical exercises and leads the team's cool downs and practices after games with maximum effort.
“It's the 'Jace factor,'” Wagner said. “She's always smiling and she's fun to be around. She doesn't get anxious or nervous before games. She's ready.”
“She doesn't yell and scream and bring people down,” said Warner, a longtime friend. “Jace is very competitive, but in a good way.”
These traits should translate well to college, where her college career is just a few months away.
But first, Holly has an opportunity for on-the-job learning.
She was recently named to the new NoCo Rain semi-pro women's team, which will play its debut season this summer at the Future Legends Sports Complex in Windsor.
The Reign includes homegrown players like Fossil Ridge's Abby Barek, Holley's former Rockies teammate Skylar Haas (now at Texas Tech), and a team of players with professional experience from all over the world. Older players will appear.
This is a chance for him to experience the physicality of playing against adults before joining the Buffaloes.
“They're definitely going to elevate my game,” Hawley said.
How far can she aim for her game? She should earn it in Boulder, as Holly is one of only two CU high school signees to join her senior-filled roster.
There's still a lot to accomplish this season first, but Wagner said he has no doubts about what Horry can do going forward.
“She made an impact everywhere and that will carry over to the next level,” he said. “I believe in her heart that she can go to big places.”
This article was originally published in “Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado soccer rookie Jace Hawley stars at Rocky Mountain High School.”
