Graphic by Yujin Kim ’23/The Choate News
With spring sports back in full swing, Choate athletes are returning to the familiar schedule of navigating grueling practices and spirited competitions. A select few, however, have the additional task of leading the rest of their team through it all as well. Although most captains are six-formers due to their experience, these fifth-formers have displayed invaluable leadership skills that have allowed them to rise up through the ranks. Leading a sports team to victory is quite the challenge, but these fifth-form captains have taken on their roles with grace and success.
Adam Carroll ’23
Carroll feels honored to be selected as one of the four boys’ lacrosse captains this season. “I have never really been a super vocal person,” Carroll said. “At the end of the day, you just have to be yourself and not let it be any sort of pressure.” Despite seeing himself as a “soft-spoken guy,” Carroll is confident in stepping up as a junior because of the immense time and effort he has put into the sport. “I have grown a deep and personal relationship with the game,” he explained. As a team captain, he makes sure to remember “to keep people’s spirits up when they’re down,” and “to congratulate them when they’re up.” Carroll looks forward to watching his team improve this season, as he loves “watching people succeed and break new ground.” For Carroll, “Focusing on staying positive and bringing energy and intensity will be the big things for this season.”
Tenzin Bista ’23
Bista was elected Boys’ Varsity Volleyball Co-captain by his teammates this year, a responsibility that has given him a lot of confidence. Bista said, “The team placed a lot of trust and responsibility on me.” Bista’s coaches have provided lots of support in helping him learn to balance both roles of team player and team captain. He explained, “[They] certainly understand that being a captain and a junior is difficult, so I am very thankful for their help in making this transition as seamless as possible.” In a fast-paced sport such as volleyball, Bista believes it is critical to be “attentive and observant; you really do need to know what’s going on all the time.” He believes the most outstanding qualities a captain can have are “empathy and open-mindedness,” as he understands that “there are a lot of beginners on [his] team and that everyone has different ways of learning.” That being said, Bista’s favorite part about being a captain is helping his teammates learn and grow along with himself each day. “I can really tell, even just over the last week, the great improvement this team has made … it shows that we can be a very successful team.”
Michael Korvyakov ’23
This past fall, Korvyakov stepped up as the only captain of Boys’ Varsity Crew as Korvyakov’s teammates believe he has done an outstanding job leading the team. Fellow rower, Halvor Suter ’23, praised Korvyakov’s hard work and dedication to the sport. His expectation is to always be “on the forefront of workouts, giving it his best.” Colin Higginson ’23, who has rowed alongside Korvyakov since freshman fall, said, “He’s really come a long way since the first time we rowed together.” One thing Higginson said Korvyakov does very well is “making sure [they] move in an efficient manner onto the boats.” Both Suter and Higginson view Korvyakov as an approachable, passionate captain and a role model for everyone on the team.
Mwendwawangai Daisley ’23
Daisley joined three seniors this year as captains of ultimate frisbee. Assuming this new position proved to be a challenging task. “Knowing that you have so much responsibility on a team with so many people can be intimidating at times,” said Daisley. Nevertheless, Daisley has handled the position exceptionally well by “being confident in [his] knowledge of the sport and about what [he is] saying but also listening to others, especially [his] fellow captains.” Ultimate frisbee is unique in that the team includes both experienced and novice players, which allows the discovery of new potential. Daisley enjoys making sure all of his teammates are improving and having fun like he is. He navigates coaching drills, explains the rules and tactics to the newcomers, and is a role model on the field for all players. His motto — something he has learned throughout the years — is, “Live in the game, live in the moment, and don’t overthink it.”
Alex Hassett ’23
Hassett was both honored and surprised to be selected as a softball captain this year. She was thrilled to find out that her teammates “see [her] as a leader, as someone they could go to.” Though Hassett has now earned the title of captain, she sees her position as a continuation of her role last year — leading by bringing passion and positivity to the field. As the only fifth-form captain, she faces the challenge of transitioning from being seen as a friend to being seen as a captain. Thankfully, with the help of her fellow, more experienced captains, the shift has become lighter and much more natural. Hassett enjoys being someone her teammates can reach out to and acting as liaison between the other captains, coaches, and the rest of the team. Hassett is also hopeful about the team’s potential and believes they will have a great season. She said, “There has been a lot of maturity on the team throughout the past year.”
