Senior Morgan Castillas is in a unique position that hardly few dawning Lancer Green get to achieve. She plays softball, flag football and basketball and serves as a captain for all three teams.
When the TO flag football team made it to the playoffs for the first time this year, she stepped up to help her teammates manage their nerves.
That’s not always easy.
“One of my teammates was having a mental breakdown before the game, and we had to work together as a team to help calm her down,” Casillas said. “It was about keeping our composure and supporting each other so we could focus on the game.”
For Casillas and other Lancer leaders, holding the title of team captain is more than just a title. It means carrying the team on multiple levels.
Being a leader isn’t just about calling plays or scoring points. Team leaders are responsible for setting the tone for teammates and serving as role models for underclassmen. The weight of leading the team often falls on the shoulders of seniors. Leaders must excel in the game and lead by example in academics and attitude.
The pressure to meet these expectations is immense, and captains need to balance both the responsibilities of self and team.
Senior forward Matias Vico has stepped into a leadership role this year for the TO boys basketball team, earning the title of captain from head coach Logan Baltau.
Vico’s approach to leadership draws from the example of former Marmonte League MVP and 2024 graduate Elias Chin. Having played alongside Chin for three years, Vico learned the importance of leading by action rather than words.
“He kind of taught me to set an example because he wasn’t a huge verbal leader,” Vico said. “I’m more of a verbal leader. I’ll yell at the younger guys if they’re not doing something right, but I also make sure I set an example. I’m not really a follower anymore.”
Vico believes that being a role model goes far beyond on-court performance – academic performances and attitude matter too. Being a leader requires additional effort, but Vico finds there to be less room for error as opposed to his previous years on the basketball team.
“I’m leading my guys now, and they’re kind of falling in my steps. There’s definitely less room for error,” Vico said.
For girls volleyball senior defensive specialist Madison Coleman, it’s about tapping into her teammates’ potential. The team wrapped up its season in the second round of the Div. II playoffs. At the team’s yearly banquet, head coach James Park called Coleman the “sponge” of the team. Park explained that Coleman absorbed information quickly, improved consistently and supported her teammates in every situation.
“To me, being a team captain is about being a leader on and off the court, maintaining a positive mindset, and encouraging others,” Coleman said. “As a captain and as a team in general, we all try to hold each other to the highest standard. We know each other’s potential because we’ve seen each other on our best days and our worst.”
Among many others, observations of past captains throughout high school athletic careers shaped these captains’ leadership styles.
“Seeing how previous captains handled themselves and their teams mentally prepared me for how I lead,” Casillas said. “It’s fun to be a leader and help the younger players grow, but it’s also a big responsibility.”
