Fall sports officially begin this week, but captains for all fall teams at West Hartford’s Conard and Hall high schools attended the training program in advance of the season.

Submitted by Athletic Director Betty Remigino-Knapp

West Hartford’s Hall and Conard High Schools continued with the “Lead By Example’ initiative started last year with their annual Captains’ Leadership Workshop.

Fall sports captains attend leadership training prior to the start of the season. Submitted photo.

“Lead by Example,” initially a substance abuse initiative, was adapted to be an overall school theme for each high school.  Captains from each school gathered for a workshop to discuss issues and concerns that high school athletes encounter during their sport seasons.

Mr. Dave Allen from the Positive Coaching Alliance presented at the Captains’ Workshop. During each session the student-athletes were provided with leadership strategies.

The seminar was set up with a lecture presentation emphasizing topics of team culture, team development and leadership. The ROOTS Concept was also introduced. ROOTS of Honoring the Game: respect for Rules, Opponents, Officials, Teammates and Self.

Captains were also given strategies to become better athletes through the Triple Impact Competitor Model which introduced the ELM Tree of Mastery.  The E in ELM stands for Effort, the L for Learning and the M for bouncing back from Mistakes.

Fall Captains for Conard High School:

Lia Negron, Cassidy Kotyla, Maureen Farrell (Cheerleading), Alec Ferguson-Hull, Matthew Thomas, Brian Torsiello (Cross Country); Molly Bohman, Margaret Byrne (Cross Country); Cassie Falvey, Elizabeth Christensen, Kathryn Novak (Field Hockey); Erik Ribeiro, Sebastian Rengifo (Soccer); Elena Santos, Brianna Grande, Elise Youmans (Soccer); Ryan Bell, Vinny Gagliardi, Tim Fisher, Jake Reynolds (Football); Molly Bugos, Madison Soucy, Molly Brandner, Isabella Lefante (Swimming and Diving); Keleigh Brown, Michelle Rodgers (Volleyball)

Fall Captains for Hall High School:

IIana Humphries, Mackenzie Molodetz, Laura David (Cheerleading); Devon Aldave, Sam Katten, Ari Klau, Grant O’Connor (Cross Country); Taylor Coursey, Gillian Hixson, Monica Keeley, Libby Salzman-Fiske (Cross Country); Helen Chavey, Kathleen Keegan, Christine Taylor (Field Hockey); Jason Gilbert, Neil Kelley, Robert Parra (Football); Jake Bauman, Jack Monnes, Chris Murphy (Soccer); Erin O’Brien, Kaitlin Rogers (Soccer); Maria DiBella, Leah Kochen, Kelley Mantz, Quinn Mitchell (Swimming and Diving); Elena Pevar, Michele Brook (Volleyball)