(Avoca) Longtime AHSTW baseball coach Jason Holst has spent his last summer on the diamond as the varsity head coach.
Holst will continue to serve as AHSTW’s Activities Director and will help coach football, but he’s moving on from baseball. “I’ve been doing it for about 24 years now and my son just wrapped up his high school career and I thought maybe it would be a good time to step away from the field to focus a little bit more on being the activities director and a little more family time.”
He says it felt like the right time, but was still a hard decision. He’ll miss working with the kids and seeing their growth among other things. “It’s neat to see that. Then the relationships…being in the dugout and at practice. I’m around them more than I am my own family. Those times will be ones that are hard.”
Holst was a player for Avoca-Shelby-Tennant. His coaching career started under Larry Rhamy. He was an assistant for eight years and ascended to the third base box in 2006. “My first two years spoiled me a little bit. I was fortunate enough to go to the state tournament my first two years as head coach. We had the opportunity to play in four or five district finals and a few substate finals. I got to play and coach in a few substate games. It’s been pretty cool to play in the state tournament. I remember the first time taking infield up there. Boy I was nervous. They put the tarp out there and I went to hit a ball and thought ‘I hope I don’t swing and miss.’ I remember that like it was yesterday.”
Holst lists coaching in the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association in 2013 as another highlight. There’s plenty he’s looking forward to being a part of now that his summers will feature more free time including golf and family time.
