As a team captain of my high school’s cross country and track teams, I make an extra effort to reach out to my underclassmen to make them feel welcome and supported. I know in my first year of running in high school, it was hard to feel welcome in a sport when everyone was literally running away from you. Luckily, I grew faster and made many amazing friends, but I believe everyone should be included in the team dynamic, even if they are not a top runner or an extrovert. New people on their first day are usually timid and wide-eyed. I have found that it only takes asking their name and saying something somewhat funny for people to loosen up. It is super rewarding to see their closed-in postures relax and the fear disappear, especially since
