Holcomb Siblings Lead James Clemens X-Country
MADISON- The James Clemens track program has been a self-proclaimed “family unit” of student-athletes. That fact is no more evident than with siblings Nick and Elizabeth Holcomb. The two stars of the current season of cross country running are having a blast participating in high school sports and the fact of doing so together as brother and sister.
“I love him and it’s great to have that bond,” said Elizabeth of Nick. “He’s always looking out for me as helps me with my running. I do the same for him.”
Elizabeth (5-foot-4, 127 pounds) is a junior and regarded as No. 1 on the girls’ cross country team. Nick (6-foot, 130) is winding down his senior season of athletics and rated No. 2 on the boys’ squad. According to James Clemens’ head coach Drew Bell, Elizabeth will certainly be a talent that many colleges will be striving to have once she graduates in 2019. Meanwhile, Nick has already stated this will be his final year of competition as upon graduation he has plans to attend Auburn University with possible scholarships to go along with 4.6 GPA, which ranks him No. 26 among all seniors at James Clemens.
“Liz has always been a top runner as it’s good to have someone like her to rely on because of her consistency and great attitude,” said Bell. “Nick comes through for us when we need him as he excels in bigger meets and handles pressure very well.”
Besides running on the cross country trails, both Nick and Elizabeth are valuable members of the spring season track team where each run the mile, two-mile, 800 and 4 X 800 relay events. Nick began running in the seventh grade after being asked by a friend to try participating on the track team. He soon migrated to also competing on the cross country squad by invitation from Bell. Elizabeth was coaxed into running in the eighth grade by her brother as she was swimming for the Huntsville Swim Association.
“When I was younger I could see many of the medals Nick was bringing home from his running so I wanted to try and keep up with him,” said Elizabeth, who carries a 4.05 GPA. “I picked up my first medal at the Anniston Woodstock 5K three years ago and I showed it off to him.”
Elizabeth has a PR of 18:56 in the cross country five mile event while Nick has posted his best at 17:21. When Nick first asked his sister to become a runner, she was really fast and according to Nick, “She left me in her dust. I had to work harder to prove myself.”
The children of Michael and Sylvia Holcomb, the siblings each have their own cars. It just happens to be they both have Toyota Camrys. Nick and Elizabeth have shared each other’s running gear and cheer one another on during competitions.
Elizabeth will be the first one to tell you she loves the feeling of freedom she gets from cross country running. She said, “Most definitely. You and nature is really peaceful.” Nick agreed. “I love the nice places we get to go to and our team is a good tight group of people. A family”
“Having them on our teams is a blessing and we’ve had nothing but good things from them,” said Bell. “They are good to each other. I will certainly miss them, but do enjoy every second they’re here.”
