Being the captain of a team here at Shorewood means you have to be a leader and a role model to your teammates. Captains have to bring their team together and lead their teammates to victory. Most captains are seniors, and will be graduating shortly. Throughout the ups and downs of high school and sports, these senior captains have learned a lot. So, what do senior sports captains have to say to future members of the team?

Many senior captains advise that everyone who is interested in a sport should give it a try. Cross country captain Ada Franey suggests that everyone who’s interested should join, no matter how skilled they are.  “Come even if you don’t think you’re in shape or ready to be a cross country runner! It’s an amazing community, and you will make so many friends,” Franey said. Football captain Tyson Shea also encourages more people to join sports even if they aren’t at a high level yet. “Trust the process! If you put in the work, you will be rewarded,” he said. 

After making the first leap to join a sports team, most captains recommend being friendly and bonding with teammates. Lake Mueller, captain of the swim team and track, thinks it’s important to reach out and make friends. “Find a good group of people and it’ll make the season so much better,” Mueller said. Captain of the girls’ golf team, Anna Ertsgaard, believes going out of your way to make friends is super important. “Say hi to everybody in your matches, make new friends,” Ertsgaard said. 

Katie Freshwater, captain of the girls’ swim team, admits that reaching out to teammates you don’t know can be awkward. “It can be uncomfortable sometimes, but it will make your experience so much better and you never know where those friendships might take you in the future,” Freshwater said. 

The captains think it’s very important to always try your best and put effort in for your teammates. Ethan Farley, tennis captain, thinks that being dependable is significant to the team’s success. “Being consistent is the most important thing. If you always hit the ball you can’t lose,” Farley said. 

While winning is always a lot of fun, the captains know that the pressure of doing well can weigh heavily on team members. Jadyn Smith, captain of girls’ soccer, encourages athletes to persevere through defeating times. 

“Always keep your head up and don’t let a loss bring you or your teammates down,” Smith said. Elizah Rendorio, captain of drill, can see how a lot of athletes can lose sight of having fun due to intense pressure. “You easily get swept up in the competition aspect and the pressures of performing but what makes it so special is the memories you make with your team,” Rendorio said. 

Hannah Alexander, tennis captain, also thinks that sports shouldn’t be all about winning. Girls’ tennis has had a two-year winning streak but Alexander doesn’t think it’s the most important part of being on the team. “Enjoy your teammates, enjoy the game, and don’t be too hard on yourself,” Alexander said.

Four years seems like a lot of time to be a member of a team, but basketball captain Pityas Isayas felt like high school went by quickly. 

He advises future athletes to savor their time on the team. Isayas said: “Try and enjoy every single moment you have because it will go away in the blink of an eye.”