By: Sarah Guralnick
Along with a new coaching staff, the 2022-23 girls’ varsity basketball team paved the way for a fresh start to the program. Head Coach Rick Nelson and Assistant Coach Kaitlyn Holm bring overflowing amounts of basketball IQ, leadership, and community skills to Overlake’s basketball program. In addition to strengthening the team’s basketball skills and performances, Coach Nelson and Assistant Coach Holm aim to teach the team valuable life skills. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the coaches and their many unique experiences, on and off the court. A special shoutout to Coach Nelson’s wife, Lynette, who continually supports the team at practices and games, helping create a strong community.
Head Coach: Rick Nelson
Early Life: Coach Nelson was born near Detroit, Michigan, birthplace of the American auto industry and Motown, and raised in the metro Detroit area for most of his life. He ventured to South Central LA for 6th – 8th grade, and to Sandusky, Ohio for his 9th – 11th grades. Ultimately, he finished his high school career in Michigan, graduating from Port Huron High School.
Inspiration: Nelson shares that his grandparents, his wife Lynette, and his faith provide a major inspiration to his life. Nelson’s beautiful words exhibit the importance of each of these people: he says, “my grandparents raised me and made me who I am, Lynette made me realize who I could be.” Nelson adds that the Overlake Girls Basketball team is also a major inspiration, as they made him “realize that we can do anything together.”
Basketball Career: Nelson’s illustrious basketball career grants him plentiful tips, strategies, and knowledge. He played organized basketball from age 5 to 39. Nelson played basketball in college, and then when he joined the United States Air Force (USAF), he played for the US forces in Europe. This team traveled all over the world playing professional teams and other US military organizations. Nelson went on to play in the Euro league for almost 10 years, playing in various countries such as Turkey, Italy, Germany.
Coaching: Nelson’s love for basketball and passion to teach young people brought him into the coaching profession. He has coached for over 20 years, bringing in his professional, college, and high school basketball experiences. Nelson notes that “basketball gives us the ability to find out so many things about ourselves, teams, and future.” His passion and goals are evident in his coaching. Most of his coaching career exists at the high school level; Nelson coached Lynnwood High School programs for boys and girls teams. In addition to high school coaching, for the last 20 years Nelson has made an impact in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), owning and coaching athletes from middle school to high school.
Passions: Nelson is endlessly passionate about helping the younger generation. If he wasn’t coaching, Nelson would be mentoring, training, and supporting the younger generation as they grow and emerge in our complicated world.
Overlake’s Program: The “amazing student body, staff and organization as a whole” drew Nelson to coaching at Overlake. He notes Overlake’s pride and commitment to both academics and sports is “the best in all of WA.” As for the girls basketball program, Nelson aims to build a “winning and inclusive culture,” building on last year’s foundation. His goal is to take Overlake girls to a league and state title as one of the top programs in all 1A schools. Winning is important, but even more important is the way in which we win. Nelson notes that “we will do it with class, leadership, and dignity. Go OWLS!!!”
Major Athletic Accomplishments as an Athlete and Coach: Nelson’s extremely successful high school athletics career led to his induction into the Hall of Fame for basketball, track, and cross country. Additionally, he made several all-star teams playing professional basketball overseas. Nelson’s extensive coaching career led him and his teams to win championships in the AAU world. He was also the Lynwood Girls Basketball Coach during their 2016 state win. Nelson also speaks to his first year coaching at Overlake (2022-23) as an accomplishment: “the level of pride and play we showed this year will set us up big time for next season.”
Assistant Coach: Kaitlyn Holm
Early Life: Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but mainly raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, Holm was surrounded by basketball from the beginning. North Carolina boasts many high-level basketball players and all-stars, including Stephen Curry, Michael Jordan, Chris Paul, and John Wall. In addition, Holm was fortunate to “play alongside some of the best female athletes.”
Inspiration: Holm shares that her mom, a collegiate basketball player and coach, had a major impact on her life. Holm’s mother coached her for most of her high school career. Her mom focused on basketball as well as school and social life, ensuring Holm’s overall “growth and success” as a person.
Basketball Career: Holm began playing basketball at 12 but was surrounded by basketball her whole life -it runs in her family. Holm quickly excelled in basketball, playing varsity basketball for the Greater Cabarrus Athletic Association (GCAA) Stallions as just a 7th grader. Finishing her high school career at Concord First Assembly, Holm earned countless accomplishments. Holm graduated as her team’s leading scorer (over 1,100 career points), team captain, team MVP, and an all-conference player. Furthering her playing career, Holm played basketball at Cedarville University in Ohio. Holm continued her strong career being a 4-year varsity athlete, 2-year team captain, 2-time defensive MVP, and a scholar athlete.
Coaching: Holm surrounded herself with coaching as it “has always been a passion … and was such a critical outlet” in her life. Holm notes that basketball taught her vital lessons and provided lifelong mentors and relationships. Holm strived to pass on her abundant basketball knowledge while providing a “positive role model to young athletes navigating life and all of its challenges.” In college (2014-18), she helped run summer programs for middle to high school girls basketball. In 2018-19, she worked at a group home and offered individual training to players.
Passions: Off the court, Holm works as a program director for the Y Social Impact Center Navigation and Diversion program, which provides housing stability support for homeless young adults in King County. Holm is passionate about helping people and having the opportunity to “invest in our communities and young adults.” In her free time, Holm also enjoys solo hiking, traveling the world, and doing CrossFit.
Overlake’s Program: Holm notes that she was drawn to Overlake by the “welcoming staff, academic and athletic excellence, and the amazing varsity girls basketball players.” Looking towards future seasons, Holm aims to create a lasting solid and successful program by investing in developing basketball skills and teaching “integrity, teamwork, and leadership” to strengthen each student off the court.
Major Athletic Accomplishments as an Athlete and Coach: Holm worked diligently to graduate college with honors, as a team captain, defensive MVP, and mentor to younger players. As a coach, Holm notes that she is most proud of the Overlake Girls for their playoff performances and their “immense growth and improvement they showed over the course of the season.”
Nelson and Holm’s first season coaching was a success, and the future looks bright for the team. We hope everyone comes out to support next year in welcoming our hardworking and supportive coaches back for their second season!
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