After Senior Collin Perkins came up short of votes for becoming a cross country captain last year, he was surprised to find out he was going to become a captain anyways.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t receive enough votes. But later on our head coach, Chris Nordstrom, felt that the boys team did not have enough energy. So, he got all the coaches and captains together to vote on who should become the fourth boys captain,” Perkins said.

Head coach Chris Nordstrom said he believed Collin deserved a leadership role on the team.

“Collin does everything a coach could ask for. He works hard, is very positive and has a unique ability to reach and connect with all the kids on the team,” Nordstrom said.

Perkins said he is excited to have been made a captain and is enjoying his leadership position.

“My duties are to lead stretching, make sure my teammates are holding up okay during a long run,” Perkins said. “I also make sure that my teammates get to the start line on time, on race day. I’ve had so much fun connecting with the team in a new way.

Nordstrom said he looks for certain qualities in a captain, and this is the first time they have chosen a new captain during the season in five years.

“This is my first season as head coach, fifth (year) in total. We have not done this since I’ve been here. A captain is someone who can lead by example and be a positive person for the other athletes to go to when a coach isn’t available or they feel more comfortable talking to a peer,” Nordstrom said.

Perkins said his goals for the team to run together and place higher in meets.

“The team goals I have for the team are to have us run together in packs during races. This will allow us to place better at our meets,” Perkins said.