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From the small town of Kensal, North Dakota (population 156) to Aberdeen, the Black Hills, Wyoming, and everywhere in between, Northern State University junior Billy Holtan has always been up for the challenge. The son of Bill and Laurel Holtan, Billy joined the Wolves wrestling squad in the fall of 2016 after a decorated high school career, winning two state championships for Carrington High School.
 
A middleweight wrestler for the Wolves, Holtan has certainly broaden his horizons and flourished while in Aberdeen. He graduated this past December with bachelor's degrees in Biology and Environmental Sciences, moving straight into graduate school this semester.
 
Holtan jumped at the opportunity to join the Northern State Science Department as a graduate assistant, while continuing his wrestling career with the Wolves. Looking to graduate with his master's in Sport Performance and Leadership in under two years, Holtan has his sights set on becoming a wildland firefighter.
 
How did you hear about the graduate assistant position?
Holtan: It was actually kind of funny how I heard about it. One of the freshman on the wrestling team was approached by a professor in the Biology Department and was asked if he knew me. She then asked if he thought I would be interested in the position. She contacted me and I got signed up for it. I was honestly really happy about it, I had wanted to be a GA but I didn't know if I could get one because it was the middle of the year. I absolutely love biology and I'm so happy that I get to be a part of it even though my graduate program isn't related.
 
What are your duties as a graduate assistant?
Holtan: The main thing I do is help with the non-major biology classes. I grade a lot of assignments, help write test and homework questions, and answer questions students have. I even have office hours throughout the week that people can stop in talk to me about anything. I have taught a couple classes, that was a little nerve wracking, but I managed.
 
What has been the most challenging part of the transition for you from student to graduate student/ teacher?
Holtan: I think the hardest part was being able to teach the information I know in a way that others can learn it. The way that I learned biology is much different then way that it is being taught, which is really important. These students aren't biology majors and so the information needs to be approached differently. Also just learning how other people think, with grading assignments you realize that people will answer the question in ways that are unique, not wrong, just different.
 
How has it been going to graduate school and continuing to wrestle?
Holtan: It seems almost completely the same the only difference is the way classes are set up. It can seem busy at times, but it's almost like the stress I put myself though in undergrad was just training for this. I graduated with a double major in Biology and Environmental Science with a coaching minor in 3.5 years, so it was intense. I also plan on accelerating this program so I graduate in May of 2021, wish me luck!
 
What are your future career aspirations?
Holtan: Right now my career aspirations are to become a wildland firefighter. I first became interested in firefighting because one of my best friends and former teammates, Tanner Olson worked as one for multiple summers. My interest only grew when my former coach, JR Lewis, moved to Wyoming to become a structure firefighter.
 
Then this last summer I had the opportunity to participate in controlled burns with a crew from the Black Hills and I became absolutely obsessed.  I realize getting my masters in Sport Performance and Leadership may seem unrelated to that, but a fire crew is a team that performs extremely intense duties and requires a reliable leader. I think it pairs nicely with my undergraduate degrees I earned. I'm actually moving to Wyoming this summer to work as an entry level firefighter to gain experience before I start my career. 
 
Did you run into any high pressure situations with your work in the Black Hills last summer?
Holtan: It was a pretty controlled setting, but there were time were it would get pretty intense and the smoke was so thick you couldn't see your hand in front of you. In moments like that, I could feel myself begging to panic, but I was able to think clearly, because I have been in so many high stake situations throughout my wrestling career. Wrestling has a get tough or get out mentality and I definitely felt that come into play this summer.
 
What type of firefighting will you be doing out in Wyoming this summer?
Holtan: I will be working on a wildland fire crew this summer. I'll be located right next to the Big Horn Mountain Range so it will be pretty cool.
 
With one year left on the mat and a clear post-collegiate career path, what are you looking forward to most in 2020-21?
Holtan: Well first off, I'm extremely thankful that I do have another year especially with everything that is going on. Next year I'm excited to see what the team can do. Since I have been here, I have seen this team get better in all aspects grades, community service, competition, and culture. With all that being said as a team we didn't get the end results we wanted and we still have something to prove. So I'm looking forward to showing everyone what we can do.
 
Having experienced Northern as an undergraduate, graduate student, and student-athlete what would you say to someone considering attending NSU?
Holtan: Making the decision to where you are going to go to college is a huge decision. If I had to give someone some advice on where to go to college, I would tell them to go where you can accomplish all your goals. Northern is a great place to do that because the small size creates a community of individuals who are all are committed to your success. The relationships you build allow you to tailor your college experience to what you want it to be. There is no way I could have accomplished what I have done here without the support group that I have built while at Northern.