teammates all have different personalities, and sometimes they make decisions that are tough to confront. Being the bigger person and looking at a situation from everyone’s perspective is what you need to do. Then you can decide how best to help them and move forward as a team,” says Nick. Overall, all the captains relish keeping the atmosphere fun, whether continuing long-held traditions, organizing team dinners, decorating underclassmen’s lockers, or trading inside jokes. “I like to have fun with the girls,” says Kasia. “We lead the team parties, the cheers, the stretches and warm-ups. In the beginning of the season, we meet to talk about the season’s goals and inform the younger girls about track and how the team can both work hard and have fun.” Ben Bosworth (I), a seasoned team
captain of boys’ cross country and track, enjoys leading an old cross country tradition: running around campus with a shopping cart and boom box the Friday before a race. As the music plays, the runners perform various musical acts and skits outside of the Student Center. It’s a silly and fun way for the runners to bond. All of the captains remember how they felt in Class IV. They go out of their way to reach out to the new and younger members of the team. Nick points to the chance to establish relationships with younger students who might not normally interact with upperclassmen on a daily basis. Ben says, “When I was a freshman, I looked up to the seniors and captains. To me, they were the coolest people around. I could tell they’d been through so many experiences. Now it’s my turn to create a positive environment; we work hard to
make the youngest runners feel part of the team quickly at the beginning of the season.” “I like being there for younger students if they have questions or concerns,” says Samantha. “Being looked up to is nice. Overall, my role on the team hasn’t changed too much now that I’m captain. I’ve always been enthusiastic and loud, cheering on my teammates. The only thing that has changed is that people now come to me with concerns.” Although they might not connect daily, team captains are also there for each other. “I like being surrounded by classmates who hold similar positions,” says Nick, “to see how they’re working with their teams and helping each other through difficult situations.” Liz Matson
Senior captains Samantha Clifford (volleyball, basketball), Jessica Li (soccer), Nick Bland (football, basketball, lacrosse), Kasia Ifill (track), Ben Bosworth (cross country, track) and Tucker Hamlin (squash)
Spring 2013 37