Leaders of our Time
A reflection on various athletic senior captains and how their sport has changed their high school career.
Playing for three years and putting in countless hours of work and sweat in order to reach the top. Immense pride surrounds the team when the 2021-2022 seniors were announced. Working hard while leading workouts, helping new players learn the basics and overall being an advocate for the coaches and team. Senior captains officially close their leadership role out for the 2021-2022 school year at the end of the year.
For senior captain Jericho Frigon, playing soccer has helped her get into college and continue doing what she has loved since she was a little girl.
“One of my favorite memories from high school season is winning State my freshman year,” Frigon said. “It was honestly just really cool. I’ve never really experienced anything like that, so it was just fun to be able to win something for the school.”
This has been Frigon’s first year playing soccer as a captain since COVID-19 during her sophomore year.
“I was honestly just happy and excited and with the two other seniors that are captains, just to get into a team together,” Frigon said.
The senior captain of the boy’s tennis team, Caden Conrad, started his role of captain when former senior, Noah Koch, gave away his title at the last match in 2021.
“I mean being a captain entails having freshmen look towards you more, helping lead the stretches and warm-ups and just kind of being the example in knowing what to do and what not to do,” Conrad said.
For senior Alex Wexler, who has played rugby since his freshman year, rugby has given him a community.
“It’s given me a community, I think you can say that about most sports but I think rugby is a little bit different,” Wexler said. “I’ve played a lot of sports, and had fun in them, but rugby has really been different in the community. The community is just so strong, they have been there the last four years, even as a freshman I felt welcomed.”
In rugby, all seniors are part of a leadership team who help the team during practices to improve their skills and in games to help get everyone in order.
“Overall, I just love rugby. It really is a brotherhood,” Wexler said. “I just remember the little moments when we’re all together. One of my favorite memories is just eating with the opposite team and just being friendly.”
According to newportacademy.com; participation in team sports reduces the risk of teen substance abuse and other reckless behaviors. Team sports enhance resilience, empathy, confidence and empowerment.
To learn more about womens soccer click here, learn more about mens tennis here, and rugby here.