Holden will follow father's lead

Royal midfielder selects West Point, Army after college

By Paul Shepherd / Star correspondent

Posted: September 25, 2008

Olivia Holden never sought this out.

The Hamilton Southeastern High School senior grew up on military bases. Her father, Col. Christopher Holden, was a 1983 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and served nearly a quarter-century in the Army until recently retiring.

Following in her father's footsteps was never in Holden's plans until this summer when Army assistant coach Stefanie Golan expressed interest in Holden while scouting a soccer tournament in Nashville. She quickly emerged as one of Golan's top recruits.

Golan was unaware of Holden's lineage at the time. Holden and her father both said the decision to attend West Point was her own.

"I think it's a great opportunity," said Holden, a starting midfielder for the Hamilton Southeastern girls soccer team. "When deciding on colleges, I knew I wanted to go somewhere that was more than just about me. I wanted to make a difference. I knew I could make a difference at West Point."

Holden is committed to the Army for five years as part of her service requirement. She will head to basic training next summer before practicing with her new soccer teammates. Life at the academy is much different than in a college setting, however. Holden could follow in her father's own footsteps.

Christopher Holden, who served three separate tours of duty in the war in Iraq in 2004, '05 and '06, now trains each deploying brigade on Iraqi culture and one day could train his daughter.

"(Olivia could go to) Iraq, Afghanistan or anywhere else," Christopher Holden said.

"She knows what she's getting into. She's moved 11 times over the last 17 years of her life. She saw her father deployed for combat several times. She's a pretty smart girl. I'm just very proud of her."

Holden was born in Hawaii and has lived in 11 states. She and her family, which includes her mother, Aimee, and younger sister, Grace, relocated from Georgia to Fishers during Holden's sophomore year. The Holden family's longest stint in one area was four years along the Hudson River about 40 miles north of New York City, when they were stationed at West Point.

Moving often has shaped her, Holden said.

"I think it's helped me make new friends in the long run and adjust to new situations a lot easier," she said.

Holden directs the Royals' attack from the midfield position. She led the team last year with eight assists and is leading again this year with seven. Holden is the Royals' "playmaker" said coach Greg Davidson. Fifth-ranked HSE took a 7-1-2 record into Wednesday's game at Westfield. The Royals play Saturday at Brownsburg.

"I'm really proud of my team," Holden said. "Last year, we didn't have such a great year. My coach just expected a lot from us this year. Everyone has definitely stepped up and is playing their best. It's exciting."

Davidson wasn't surprised by Holden's decision.

"She kept it in the family," Davidson said. "What a kid to be able to do that. She's got the best work ethic on the team. Just her character and her work ethic . . . . All the right pieces of the puzzle aligned for her to do this."

Holden knows she can turn to her father for advice but insisted the decision remains hers alone.

"He let me go through the process and make my own decision," Holden said. "He wants me to go to West Point, not because I'm following in his footsteps. He wants me to go because I want to go there."