Paige Hollenberger has a lot on her plate throughout the school year, but it’s a packed schedule she has learned to embrace and enjoy.
A gymnast, a lacrosse player and a member of the band at North Hills High School — on top of being a strong student — Hollenberger stays plenty busy.
“She’s a great kid,” said Nicole Bova, North Hills’ gymnastics coach. “She’s hardworking, there for her teammates and encouraging.”
In gymnastics, Hollenberger is a captain for Bova’s team and the only senior on the roster.
“She has been trying to rally the girls and making sure they’re all on the same page for each competition,” Bova said of Hollenberger, who does club gymnastics as well, often on the same days as North Hills’ practice.
“I’m not going to have her practice for her club and then practice for high school on the same night, especially knowing that she’s still kind of coming back from an injury.
“She comes and she helps coach and will give the girls some corrections and help out during practice in that way, even though she can’t be as involved physically as she would like. That’s amazing.”
Hollengberger has been dealing with injuries throughout her career but has still found a way to compete in the all-around for the gymnastics team — a sport she has loved since an incredibly young age.
“I started gymnastics when I was 2 years old. My parents put me in it,” Hollenberger said. “It was just a fun, recreational sport. And then in fourth grade, I started competing.”
As a sophomore, Hollenberger was unable to participate in gymnastics for an entire year due to a back injury.
“I fell in love with the sport even more,” she said. “Not being able to do it that year was really hard. But I had (Bova), she’s a great coach and she pushed me into coming back for my junior year. It was amazing to be able to do gymnastics again and be able to be on our high school team.
“As a senior, I’m kind of sad with it being almost done. But it’s been a very amazing journey, and I’ve had amazing people to help me along the way.”
While gymnastics has Hollenberger’s heart, there’s plenty of room for her other sport, lacrosse.
“I feel like lacrosse kind of came easy to me,” she said. “And I started it later than gymnastics.”
She’ll continue to play lacrosse at the next level, committing to Chatham, where she will major in nursing beginning in the fall.
“I looked at a ton of other schools, but the coaching staff there was just really great,” Hollenberger said.
With a high school career defined by versatility and the ability to overcome adversity, Hollenberger now is looking toward leaving her sports programs in good hands.
“I want to leave a lasting impact,” said Hollenberger, whose younger sister, Riley, is a freshman gymnast at North Hills. “One of being positive, no matter the circumstance. I’ve been through a lot of injuries, ups and downs, but just always showing up for your team, always being there for the people that you care about and want to support.
“And just always being kind. You never know what someone’s going through, but you can always show up and be kind.”