“What makes a good captain?” I ask myself this question quite often. Last year, I was voted to be a junior captain for the Cross-Country team. To be honest, I had no idea what I was doing. I knew how to run, but that was about it. How was I supposed to manage thirty runners, and keep them excited about running? Our 50% injury rate certainly did not help. So if you asked me “what makes a good captain?” last year, my answer would have been, “I don’t know.”
This year was different. Along with two other senior captains and a motivated team, we had the potential to do very well. As this was my second year as a captain, I needed to step up as a leader and start taking action. I decided to set goals for myself and the team in order to positively influence the group dynamic.
Building a supportive team was one of the goals I set. Running is not an easy sport, both physically and mentally. Your body is screaming to your brain to stop, but you have to override that command and tell your legs to keep moving even faster. So, although most people don’t consider XC a team sport, it requires a strong team spirit and support from one another. Without those elements, it’s easy to get unmotivated. Therefore, I worked on building a supportive team to keep the morale high. What worked most effectively to bring the team closer were the small things, such as inviting everyone to play games like Spikeball or soccer during team dinners at coach’s house. These efforts were crucial in building trust and friendship within the team.
The most important thing I committed to this season was leading by example. I don’t believe in using words as a tool to convince people do things. When my mom tells me to do something, I lose interest in doing it. So instead, I focused on doing what I am supposed to do and setting the norm for the team, such as being ready on time, staying positive, always giving 100%, and believing that we can accomplish even our most far-fetched goals.
Looking back at the season, my fellow captains and I have developed a hardworking and supportive culture on the team. Nobody complains during tough speed workouts, and no matter who is first or last crossing the finish line, we cheer for each other with the same enthusiasm. Every person I’ve met on the team is different, but they have each taught me what it means to be a leader.
I am grateful and proud to be a part of this wonderful team.
Yudai and his Boys’ Cross-Country team clinched the 2018 XC ISL Championship for Tabor, putting five runners among the top 18 finishers. It is our first championship of the school year.
