It's all in the family

Photos by david hardt

NICK BELCOURT WORKS ON HIS KICKING DRILLS.

When he takes the football field under the Friday night lights, Trojans’ senior kicker Nick Belcourt does not dream of electrifying the fans by throwing the wining touchdown pass, with only seconds remaining in the game. Nor does he envision tackling the prized treasure, the opposing quarterback, at crushing full-throttle speed to cause a game-changing fumble.

Belcourt dreams of making the kick when his team needs it the most.

He has proven himself to be dependable and a consistent kicker for the Trojans. In the 2009 season he was ranked No. 1 in the Nisqually 2A league for special teams. Belcourt had a stunning .714 percent average for field goals and he averages 52.82 yards on kickoffs.  

He finds inspiration from his favorite player Adam Vinatieri, a kicker for the Indianapolis Colts. This is fitting because Vinatieri has shown game-time nerves making play-off and Super Bowl last-minute field goals. Belcourt trains for hours in preparation for that moment when it will be his turn to make the play-off kick.

On a sizzling hot July day, Belcourt stands at the 50-yard line with sweat dripping from his brow and his shirt soaked. Looking up at the goal post as if he is eyeing his prey, he takes three large steps backwards, and then two large side steps to the left. He takes a deep breath. Belcourt is not alone on the grueling training day: this is a family and friend affair.

Holding the ball for Belcourt is long-time friend Peter Quthrie. Meanwhile, at the back of the end zone awaiting the ball is his father, Paul, offering instruction and encouragement. Belcourt’s mother, Julie, and younger brother, Matthew, stand close by doing their part catching and handing off the ball to the place kicker.

Belcourt makes his approach gracefully and fluid to the ball, and then crushes the ball into the air. He steps back and watches avidly as it sails through the air, as if it were a balloon floating through clear blue sky. Seconds later the ball drops. Belcourt raises his hands excited. He signals to his father to see if it was good. Dad waves it “no good.” Belcourt takes a minute to refocus and then attempts the same kick again, but this time everything lines up and it goes straight through and lands behind his father. In 90 minutes of training, Belcourt goes through 60 to 80 kicks.

“That’s it; that’s how you do it right there.” Belcourt says with big grin. “I come out here to get better and to improve my overall kicking game.”

He says the hardest part about kicking is handling the pressure.

“For me it is all about making sure I do all my steps right,” Belcourt said.

His Dad has consistently encouraged the young kicker to practice his sport. Although Belcourt started playing soccer when he was young, he says he quickly realized that in order to excel, he needed to pick a sport and stick with it.

“So I picked football. I still play soccer though, as well as wrestle,” Belcourt said.

With everything the young athlete has done throughout the years, he says he has also found support from his Mom and brother, which also really helped him to succeed.

Belcourt knows that feeling of being excited about a field goal kick only to have it waved off. He came just inches away from breaking the school record on Oct. 9 against Steilacoom, missing a hefty 47-yard field goal. Fortunately for him he would not be the goat of the game, as the Trojans went on to win 16-9.

“When I kicked that field goal I really thought I made it. Then when I noticed the referee waving it off I couldn’t believe it. After the game the referee told me I missed it by inches,” Belcourt said.

The missed field goal during that game hurt a little, but that just made Belcourt work harder.

“I am always pushing to improve my leg strength. Next time, I want it to go through and break that school record.”

Belcourt’s father affirms his son’s love of kicking.

“He comes out here and works hard because he wants to improve,” Paul Belcourt said.  “When he doesn’t get frustrated, he can hit 50-yard field goals with ease.”

He realizes that his son strives to hold the school’s record for kicking, and accomplishing that goal will take more practice.

“He has received a lot of letters from colleges, he just doesn’t talk about it much. I know because I see them in the car,” Paul Belcourt said.

Nick recently received a letter from the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

“My brother is there, so that would be great,” Paul Belcourt said.

Nick has been humble and does not talk much about the schools that are knocking at his door for his kicking talent. However, he has mentioned Boise State University, University of Wyoming, University of Nevada and a few local schools. He likes Boise State, but would love to play for Washington State.

“I am proud of my son and I just want to give him motivation to do something with his life.” Julie Belcourt said. “He really loves kicking and is very athletic. I hope he has a future in this but, whatever he does, we will support him.”

Commenting rules