As the fall sports season comes to a close and the next begins, Oxford’s winter captains are ready to take on their next season—which for some, is their last. While Angela Tran, Dominic Monico, Maya Diaz, and Colin Das hold crucial leadership roles, it’s also their chance to lead the team from within.
These captains played for multiple years on the team as a player, learning from the inside perspective before leading.
“I understand that if the captain doesn’t show up, then it sets a standard that the other players won’t show up. Even if I have other responsibilities, I’m willing to give it up for basketball and make sure that everyone understands that [we] chose to be committed to this sport and it takes a lot of time, but it’s definitely worth it,” senior Angela Tran, the girls basketball captain, said.
As a captain, Tran channels her experience as a player back into her peers to support them.
“I remember when I was an underclassman, I was timid and scared of the coaches in general. But I would tell the girls to just talk to any of us because we’re here for them,” Tran said. “I’ve grown to realize that the coaches are more than just a coach in the sport, but also in life… they’re definitely my best friends.”
Another important aspect of sports is communication; it’s key in making sure players play hard and know their limits.
“I feel being able to communicate with everyone, it helps to have a mentality… and not just be zoned out,” senior boys varsity soccer co-captain Dominic Monico said. “If I were on the bench with [a player] I would be like: how are you feeling? I know he’s capable of doing what he can do… know that you can do it.”
As a part of the team, captains also play a role in keeping the team together and letting everyone cool off.
“Last year before our CIF, we played a bonding game where you throw the ball on the ground, and whoever lands on it has to get the ball and kick it at someone. I think those are good bonding moments, one, because it’s hilarious to see who gets targeted… we’re having fun, and that was a fun moment too,” junior Maya Diaz, girls soccer captain, said.
The team’s practices and exercises bond them together, raising their spirits when they perform, as senior boys basketball captain Colin Das mentions.
“I felt we just had really good chemistry throughout the game [with Fountain Valley]… little head gestures that would tell one person: you need to cut, and just little things that we’ve picked up about each other’s habits throughout the years of playing with each other,” Das said.
In the end, by leading from within the team, these four sports captains demonstrate how sports leadership is more than playing, practicing, and winning—being a strong captain means working to create a supportive environment within the team through bonding. With these strong leaders and team camaraderie, the sports season is bound to be filled with many wins.
“I know after the wins too, we’ll say random stuff and celebrate. It’s a moment where everyone’s just laughing and hugging each other, and we’ll break it off and salute the other team, but afterwards it’s very positive and fun,” Tran said.
