The Colorado Academy Captain’s Award is presented to the captain of a team that recently completed its competitive season. It goes to a student who possesses the qualities that we look for in our CA team captains—work ethic, integrity, dedication, and being a leader both on and off the field.
This Spring sports season, CA programs, teams, coaches, and athletes were challenged to stay positive and productive as stay-at-home orders were in effect, keeping everyone sidelined due to the coronavirus. So many of the Spring captains established themselves as tremendous role models and helped their teammates make strides and achievements through this challenging time. Even though these athletes did not get to play their season, I believe they still deserve to be considered for the Captain’s Award.
Senior Jake Donaldson-Reid, one of the three Boys Lacrosse captains, is this year’s recipient of the Spring Captain’s Award. Donaldson-Reid led by example in the Fall and Winter with his work in the weight room, according to Strength and Conditioning Coach Wes Kirk. He worked on building his strength and quickness, understanding that the payoff from his hard work would not be immediate.
“Jake has established himself as a leader in the Boys Lacrosse program with his intensity on the field and his commitment to our success off of it,” says Boys Lacrosse Coach Randy Colley. “He has provided consistent leadership throughout the offseason and preseason by driving offseason participation in practices and workouts. He has led by example as well as through positive communications. Despite the obvious disappointment when our season was suspended, Jake quickly shifted his mindset and adapted to the dramatic change.”
Other CA student-athletes nominated for this Spring’s Captain’s Award were Senior Caroline Burke-Dullinger in Tennis, Junior Aaron Rice in Baseball, and Junior Katharine Merrifield in Girls Lacrosse.
The potential for this Spring’s teams was incredible. Girls Lacrosse is currently the reigning 5- time State Champion; Girls Soccer and Girls Golf were both coming off championship seasons last Spring; Boys Lacrosse was ready to make their own title run with depth and skill at all positions; Baseball has made great strides each year under the tutelage of head coach JT Putt; and Girls Tennis was poised to take another step up with strong singles players and tremendous depth.
To be sure, we will be ready for next Spring. I look forward to the day when we are all back on campus, supporting our Mustang athletes and seeing their hard work and dedication translate into success on the fields and courts at CA.