Captains Reflect on Hockomock Captains' Conference

Last Thursday, our 28 Fall athletic captains attended the Hockomock League Fall Captains Workshop at Oliver Ames High School. The day featured leadership training activities and speakers on the topic. It also allowed all of the fall captains from the 12 league schools to meet each other in a setting other than the arena of competition. It was a great day. Here are the reflections of the day from 4 of our fall captains. They are truly amazing.

Reflection of Lindsey Nolte (Field Hockey Captain) Today I spent my day with many other student athletes in an auditorium learning about the importance of being a leader. Although only a few players on each team are able to wear a "C" on their jersey, anyone is able to lead. Being able to be followed, respected, hardworking, on and off the field is an ideal image of being a role model. It takes a group of determined leaders to become champions. To be able to set a goal and focus on that goal until it is turned into a reality. How each individual helps each other to focus, to excel, and to turn away from others negativity, will result in success. Being able to help others, and to do something that people want to follow, is a strength leaders must have. And always remember, “Watch your thoughts. They become words. Watch your words. They become deeds. Watch your deeds. They become habits. Watch your habits. They become character. Character is everything.”- Frank Outlaw. 

Reflections of Woanyen Mahn (Football Captain) As athletes we are responsible for representing the school through everything we do. We are seen by everyone and we must set a positive example. That means working hard on and off the field- leading in the classroom and in games. Also, we are privileged to do what we love and compete against others. We must stay humble because we are the lucky few. People often forget that not everyone gets to participate in high school athletics.So take advantage of this opportunity and show people the right way to play sports.

Reflections of Casey Bradley (Girls Soccer Captain) Today the CHS fall captains traveled to Oliver Ames High School to attend the fall Hockomock captains conference. It was truly a learning experience. It made me realize how much your actions affect others. As a captain it is your duty to lead by example. For example trying to always stay positive is a part of your role. Positivity is always key. No matter what you go through in life being positive will always make the situation better. Being a part of a team means coming together and setting a common goal. If you write down your goal, and look at it every day, you are more likely to achieve that goal. Your goal will never come true if you don't truly believe that you CAN do it. Make sure your team is constantly motivating each other. Every time you step on the field you need to play for one another. Dig deep, set a goal and achieve it together. Be grateful for all you have in life and always appreciate the people who support you along your journey. Positive people. Positive thinking. Physiology.

Reflections of Courtland Priest (Cross Country Captain) The fall captains’ conference today proved to be a memorable experience; many of the lessons learned by the captains are also applicable to the general athletics scene here at Canton High and to the way all high schoolers should be prepared to conduct themselves in life. The renowned motivational speaker Ed Gerety placed significant emphasis on positive attitude over the course of his presentation; the attitudinal path that a person chooses to take can truly make or break not only a captain’s career but the relationship between teammates, classmates and friends. In captainship, a positive attitude carries over to the rest of the team, to a very great extent; this tends to bolster the athletes’ motivation and desire to succeed. Conversely, if a captain displays a poor attitude, the team’s success will be inhibited- simply because they are less willing to possess that drive that makes a team good. In being a member of the Canton High athletics community, a positive attitude also opens doors- an upbeat, willing athlete will get along better with their coaches and teammates. That synergy- the mutual respect, friendship and desire to win, among the entirety of a particular team’s athletes and coaching staff- is what makes teams succeed. For an athlete playing at the interscholastic level, positive attitude is arguably the single most important trait to possess, far more vital than physical fitness or individual athletic skill to the success of a team. 

 Mr. Gerety also touched upon the importance of maintaining that positive attitude- I was struck by his scenario in which one person verbally displays their negative attitude with derisive comments, and the other responds with “Thanks for sharing”. There truly is no credible response to that simple statement; it embodies the most effective method of combating negative attitude. Negative attitude must be stopped, whittled away at, and dissipated wherever it is encountered. Like an infectious disease, bad attitude is prone to propagating in a population (a suitable example of such a population being a team), but can be easily stopped if addressed appropriately. The best cure for negative attitude is countering it with positive attitude and preventing it from spreading. If a particular team or other group of people is overwhelmingly positive, negative thoughts and feelings simply cannot take root; this speaks to the importance of good attitude throughout the entire athletics community and throughout the high school at large. There is simply no way that a team (or other group) with a popular negative mindset can succeed more often than a similar group with a widespread positive attitude. It starts with the individual. It’s up to everybody on a team, in a group, in a classroom or elsewhere to ensure that the overall attitude is positive. That’s the way we win.