The mind-set of Lasell track and field’s mind-set is about more than times on a stopwatch or marks in the sand. It’s about the energy at 7 a.m. practices, the long bus rides to meets, and the relationships that carry over from one season to the next. This year, that tone is being set by a group of captains who all took different paths to get here, but now share the same goal.
For senior triple jumper Damali Waugh, track wasn’t even the first sport she fell in love with. “It was my second sport,” she said. “I was good at it, so I stuck with it.” Back in eighth grade, she remembers racing the boys and realizing she could really compete. Now, years later, she’s chasing triple jump records and stepping into a leadership role that feels bigger than just performance. When she found out she was named captain, she was excited and a little nervous. “It’s a bigger role,” she said. “You have to be there for everyone and be an outlet.” For Waugh, being captain means building a closer bond with the coach and helping carry his message to the team, almost like being his voice on the track.
Senior pole vaulter Julianna Huckans had a different experience coming into this season. After studying abroad last year, she returned feeling slightly disconnected from a team that had continued growing without her. “The last time I was really part of the team was my freshman year,” she said. Coming back meant adjusting again, but it also gave her a fresh perspective. She wants to be detail-oriented, especially when it comes to technique, and isn’t afraid to be direct if it helps someone improve. At the same time, she wants to be someone her teammates feel comfortable going to. When she was named captain, she felt both excited and nervous, but ready to help set the tone for what’s next.
In the throwing circle, sophomore shot put athlete Lillian Sullivan was genuinely surprised when she found out she was named captain, especially as the only underclassman in the group. “I was shocked and honored,” she said.
Right away, she started thinking about what would change. With fewer assistant coaches around, she’s taken on more responsibility in making sure everyone gets attention and knows what discipline should look like. Last year, her goal was simple: outperform herself at every meet. This year, that mindset has grown. She still wants to improve personally, but she’s just as focused on helping her teammates build on what they started.
The sprint and relay group brings its own personality to the leadership group. Junior Luigi Gentile, a 4×4 relay runner, said he was excited and happy when he got the news. For him, being captain is about being someone teammates can talk to. He leads warmups, checks in on people at meets, and makes sure no one feels overlooked. “It’s about caring about what everyone else is doing too,” he explained, not just focusing on your own race.
Seniors Maddie Ebbinghaus and Jordan Woodley, both key members of the 4×1 relay, stepped into leadership during a time when the program needed it most. After the team lost its head coach, there wasn’t much time to process what happened. “It happened, and we didn’t look back,” Ebbinghaus said. She talks a lot about maintaining the vibe, early morning practices, long meets, and making sure people feel supported. More than anything, she wants to leave behind a strong
foundation so future athletes know how to lead when their time comes. Woodley saw being named captain as both a confidence boost and a challenge. He had always led quietly, but the title gave him a reason to step up vocally. He focuses on being patient at meets and practices, understanding that coaches can’t see everything at once. For Woodley, the biggest shift this year is mindset. “I just want to win,” he said. He believes the team has been too comfortable finishing fourth and wants to push the group to expect more.
Junior javelin thrower Ryan Ventura, who served as a co-captain last year, views this season as a privilege. Being named captain again forced him to hold himself to a higher standard. He leads warmups, keeps practices upbeat, and tries to be a steady, encouraging presence. While he’s chasing a goal of breaking the javelin record, he’s also just as focused on keeping energy high throughout the long outdoor season.
Across all jumps, throws, sprints, and relays, one theme keeps coming up: mindset. Waugh wants the team to stop thinking of itself as “just Division 3” and start recognizing how strong it really is. Woodley wants to raise competitive expectations. Huckans wants to set a tone that carries into future seasons. Ebbinghaus wants to build relationships that outlast this year. Gentile wants to grow the culture. Sullivan wants the team to be tighter than ever. And Ventura wants progress every single day.
When asked to sum up what it means to be a track & field captain, their answers felt simple but powerful. It’s more than a title. It’s leading selflessly. It’s pushing expectations higher. It’s chasing progress, not perfection. It’s creating the culture you want to be part of. It’s becoming the role model you once needed.
If this season goes the way they envision, this teamcwon’t just be remembered for marks, times, or records. It will be remembered for the standard this group of captains set, and the culture they helped build.
–Mar. 2, 2026–
