By: Brooks Hawkins and Tyler Block
The goalkeeper is commonly known as the toughest position on the field. They have to manage and direct players all over the field and have to be ready for any action that comes their way. Goalkeepers have to be mentally tough and good under pressure. These qualities define the Hamilton Goalkeeper Griffin Bolhuis.
Griffin has been playing soccer since he was 4 years old. He immediately loved the game. He loved all the positions but decided to focus more on goalkeeping when he was 13.
When asked why he decided to focus on goalkeeping he said “ It’s the most unique position and I noticed when I was 12 that I was good at it and I wanted to play it in middle school.” Since then Griffin has only improved his focus and skills.
He has been the starting Goalkeeper on Hamilton’s Varsity soccer team since he was a freshman. Griffin is now a sophomore and has already had two really good seasons in goal.
When asked what his best memory so far in his high school soccer career is he said, “ Definitely making Varsity as a freshman. It was really cool to experience that as a freshman which is a rare opportunity.”
He emphasized a lot on the fact that goalkeepers are very different from any other player on the field. He loves that he gets to do things that help influence the outcome of the game that no other players can do. He enjoys playing under pressure when all eyes are on him depending on him to get crucial saves that help the team win games.
Griffin has gotte
n to know the upperclassmen really well during the past two seasons and has really enjoyed playing with different kids. This past year Griffin really liked that some sophomores like him were also playing with him on varsity. Griffin spent almost every day with his teammates for multiple months leading up to and during the season. This time has helped him grow really close to his teammates. Since playing goalkeeper in high school Griffin has already had multiple shutouts. Even though Griffin plays soccer all year round he still takes his schoolwork very seriously by maintaining a 3.9 GPA.
Outside of soccer, Griffin enjoys hunting, skiing, and fishing. He also enjoys spending his free time hanging out with his close friends and family.
When asked about next season Griffin said “ Next season I will be an upperclassman which will definitely be different but I’m really excited for it.”
Griffin is most excited about playing with his friends in his own grade because he has only played with 2 or 3 of them for the past few years. His starting goal for next year is to have a winning record or at least a better record than the past season. A long-term goal Griffin has is to beat Holland Christian and he would also like to collect a few more shutouts by the end of his high school career.
Griffin plans to continue playing Goalkeeper for Hamilton and to continue to help the program grow and develop. Griffin plans on going to college and would like to study business but he is still only a sophomore and has more time to decide.