Goodbyes can be hard at any stage of life. Whether it be saying goodbye to your favorite pair of cleats or moving cities, moving forward without a component in your life is a challenging obstacle.
The cycle continues at the end of every Miami Palmetto Senior High school year, when the graduating class moves on with their futures. College, jobs and moving away from home are all very real realities for seniors. While moving into the next step of their lives, some are leaving behind a legacy in their sport.
For a select few of MPSH’s athletes who have the privilege of being a captain on a sports team, passing down the torch to fellow players is an emotional time; a time mixed with happy memories and a wave of sadness, leaving behind years of the sports that they have poured countless hours into. Although not all captains are seniors, they all equally impact the team. So, being a captain of an MPSH sports team has different meanings for each of them.
For MPSH Girls Lacrosse player and sophomore Maya Feller, the captains played a large role in her time on the team. It was Feller’s first year on the varsity team, and she felt immediately accepted into the MPSH lacrosse community, especially due to the environment produced by the captains.
“The captains of PGL this year helped shape my experience on the team by being a good role model and being someone that we are able to talk to,” Feller said.
As a newcomer to the team, she faced new obstacles and had to adjust to the new systems. Juggling the tasks of school and athletics can be a challenge for any player, but by having supporting leaders, the process can become smoother and less stressful.
“Some of the qualities that the captains had were good communication skills, responsibility, a good attitude and an overall positive influence on the team,” Feller said.
One of MPSH’s baseball captains, junior Christian Dixon, has had a major role within the baseball team, whether through creating an accepting environment for newcomers or rallying with his fellow captains to get the team back on track.
“Being a captain means being a leader and helping my team stay focused. I help communicate between the coach and the players and make sure everyone feels included,” Dixon said.
Regardless of the sport, captains are held to a high standard in and out of the classroom, locker room and field to be an example for their fellow classmates and teammates.
“A good captain should be responsible, positive and a good listener. Being a leader means helping others, not just focusing on yourself,” Dixon said.
Feller attributes much of her early success to the support from her captains and their ability to make her feel welcomed and part of the team.
“My favorite memories with the captains this year were the game and the practices. They were always bringing a positive and funny attitude, while always making it more enjoyable and making us want to play,” Feller said.
After all, the captains are the heartbeat of any team, and when they leave their team, there will always be a small piece of them left behind. Players, coaches and fellow captains will forever remember the legacy they left on the team and cherish their memories.
