The senior spotlight series continues with a look at men's cross country and track & field student-athlete Holden Ringer.
Name: Holden Ringer
Hometown (HS): Dallas, TX (Phillips Academy (MA))
Sports: Men’s Cross Country, Track & Field
Majors: American History & Marketing
Q: How did you start getting involved with [current sport]? How old were you when you started playing?
I wrestled for seven years and in order to manage weight I would run a lot. I ended up getting solid at running. I switched schools halfway through high school and every trimester you had to do a sport. I did not have a fall sport coming in, but thought Cross Country would help me wrestle more so than water polo or football so I started competing at 16.
Q: Do you have any current plans for after graduation?
Maybe move to Utah or Idaho, if that doesn’t work out then maybe join the army, but who knows with COVID.
Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to your freshman self?
Pursue other interests outside of running. It's cool being a college athlete. I really wanted to run when I came to college and I had the drive to succeed. Sadly, I spent most of my career injured and not actually running so a lot of time and well-being was spent trying to make up for the fact I was injured because I put a lot of my own identity in running. If I could go back I would have put a greater emphasis on exploring Atlanta, exploring new interests, and meeting new people. COVID helped me realize this, and something I am trying to bring to my life going forward.
Q: Which Emory faculty or staff member has made the greatest impact on you and why?
Shoutout to Judith Miller in the history department. Last semester, I was really struggling writing my research paper for my French Revolution History Colloquium, and she was so generous with her time and patience. I ended up turning in the paper two months late, but she was so kind throughout the entire process and I truly will always appreciate how patient and forgiving about the situation.
Q: What is one class would you retake just for fun and why?
My freshman seminar Great German Books. Although I am a history major, I really dislike writing essays. This class really focused on reading. We read 10 different works over the course of the semester and I really enjoyed getting to talk about all of them. It is kind of funny because this class was in English, and I had the same professor for German 202 the next semester, and let's just say I sounded a lot better in English than I did in German.
Q: What is the most unique thing about your hometown?
Dallas, Texas actually has the largest contiguous arts district in the United States. The Dallas Museum of Art is free and I always try to go when I go home. Other than that, it is the fastest growing metro area in the US.
Q: What is something that people may not know about you but should?
I have been saving up all of the Capri sun pouches that I have drank the last 6 months, so that I can make a coat out of them.
Q: Other than the sport(s) you play, what is another one you think you could play at a high level?
Rowing or Crew, in all honesty I am probably a better rower than I am a runner. Our coach sophomore year, Jordan Schilit, introduced rowing on the erg to our team. Since I was injured a lot, I have ended up doing a lot of rowing my sophomore and junior years at Emory.
Q: What is one professional athlete (past or present) would you like to have a conversation with and why?
Andrew Luck. I got to see him get drafted in 2012 at Radio City Music Hall and it was an incredibly memorable experience. I have always been a big Colts fan, but just as big of an Andrew Luck fan. He took a beating his first couple years in the league and that led to him suffering some huge injuries. When he retired in 2019, I was shocked, but could understand. Although I’m not the quarterback of an NFL team, I felt as I could to some degree at the feeling of always being injured. In addition, football did not define him, he is a really talented and kindhearted human being who was more than a football player. I would love to talk to him about his experiences playing football, but also beyond that.
Q: How have you been trying to occupy your time with given the current COVID environment?
I have started making art to decorate the walls of my apartment. It is also a good activity to bring a few people together that doesn't involve zooming or Netflix. I kept running for a while for fun. And although we don’t have organized competition, I have still tried to challenge myself. Earlier in the semester I ran an 8K PR and also my first marathon. I’m taking a break from running right now, but should start up again soon.
Q: Food you hate that everybody else seems to enjoy?
Avocados and Guacamole. I really don’t get the craze.
Q: What would you say are your top three movies or television shows of all time?
Movies:
The Crow (1994)
Con Air (1997)
Enemy at the Gate (2001)
TV:
Boardwalk Empire
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure
Band of Brothers
Q: What is your favorite thing to do around Atlanta?
Go to Piedmont Park, I walk there about once a week. Its just a great park with plenty of open space and great views of Atlanta.
Q: What has been your most memorable moment during competition during your Eagles career?
It would probably be UAA’s for outdoor track sophomore year. Obviously it was special to me because it was UAA’s at Emory. But more importantly because I have been injured for most of my time at Emory it was my first and only race on the Emory track. It was also my first only college race in front of my parents. They had come to other meets, but I had been injured all other times. I got to PR in the 3000M Steeplechase in front of everyone and cheering and that was special. What makes it funny was that I was injured going into the race and immediately after the race I had to wear a boot, but I genuinely did not care because I was happy about the experience.
Q: Favorite non-athletic moment from your past few years at Emory?
I’d say probably Spring Break 2019 or whenever ISOM 350 ended.
Q: What would be one thing you’d like to impart to the underclassmen before finishing your career?
Constantly reassess your priorities. Just because you came into Emory as a specific person and thinking you will do one or a few things, does not mean you will leave unchanged. I was so set on being a runner and as a result I was too prideful to change when there was so much more out there. I spent so much time and energy, trying to push through injuries, and it hindered my wellbeing and my experience at Emory. I wouldn’t quit the team, but I wish I had embraced a forceful desire to change my situation instead of trying to stagnate and push though my issues head on. Maybe you're heavily influenced by your teammates, parents, coaches, or whoever, but you need to constantly assess what is truly best for you and what will make you happy. Everyone’s needs and priorities are different, but once you realize your needs priorities, act upon them and don’t let them pass you by.