This past fall, the Colorado Academy Athletic Department inaugurated the Captain’s Award, to be presented to the captain of a team that recently completed its competitive season, who reflects and possesses the qualities that we look for in our CA team captains—work ethic, integrity, leadership, commitment, dedication, and serving as a role model both on and off the field.
This trimester’s Captain’s Award goes to Senior swimmer Aly Gallagher. Gallagher was named the Tri Peaks League Swimmer of the Year this season for her efforts in swimming the 50 free, 100 free, 200 free relay, and the 400 free relay. “Aly is extremely passionate about many things, and she is truly a leader and a unique individual,” says Head Coach Beckie Mutz. “Aly never says ‘never’ and, everything is possible, everything! She has the utmost respect from her teammates and coaches. But most of all, it’s Aly’s compassion, caring, and love that make her the very best leader.”
More great leaders
Other team captains who were nominated for the Captain’s Award were Junior climber Hayden Wolfe, Senior boys basketball player Spencer Wootten, Senior girls basketball player Mia Cravitz, and Senior ice hockey player, Mac Behrhorst.
Head of Boys Basketball Steve Hyatt says that Wootten was extremely committed to his role as a team captain, and that he could always be counted on to lift up his teammates throughout the most challenging of times.
Head of Girls Basketball Cyndi Graziano believes that Mia Cravitz is the complete representation of a true leader. “Mia has been a great role model throughout the season, but also within the past two years and within the summer work we did this past year,” says Graziano. “She is extremely determined.”
Ice Hockey Head Coach Chris Delaney described his nominee, Mac Behrhorst. “Mac is a natural leader and displayed that throughout the year,” Delaney says. “He was a great influence on all the Freshmen on the team and led by example.”
Alex Penney, who heads the Climbing program, nominated Hayden Wolfe for the winter captain’s recognition. “Hayden is always working hard, on time, helping others, and being a leader by example,” says Penney.
Winter season
Led by these captains, our winter season CA programs and teams have proven once again to be among the best in the state. Swimming sent five individuals to the state meet, climbers competed in the regional and state tournament, ice hockey competed valiantly in their first Varsity season in more than 20 years, and girls and boys basketball finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the always-tough Metro League regular season and will advance well through their league and state tournaments.
A champion comes in many forms, but first, CA athletes need to commit and compete. The nominees for this winter’s Captain’s Award all worked extremely hard in the off-season to achieve what they accomplished during their competitive season. I’m thankful for these individuals, as they were all leaders of their specific teams and inspiring role models for their teammates and the general CA community. Congratulations to them all!