Junior Seniority: A look at two of this year’s junior team captains and their respective sports

Shouting out a slew of “good jobs” and “nice works” to her teammates on the mat, junior Sam Herpich is in a position that she previously looked up to. A position that she’s poured every ounce of her hard work into  —  team captain of the varsity cheer team.

Because of her talent, it was apparent that Herpich would eventually become a team captain. However, it was a shock to her and her teammates for Sam to earn this position as a junior. Varsity cheer coach MKilar Otte can’t remember the last time there was a varsity junior team captain, but Herpich’s drive to improve her team and relentless effort during practice put her above other cheerleaders and secured her the spot as a captain.

“The moment I came to East to coach, Sam was a stellar cheerleader,” Otte said. “More importantly, she always gave 110 percent at practice. The girl that was running suicides and outpacing everyone and then immediately going to do the next thing.”

Herpich is appreciative of her new position of leadership on the team and says the news has been well-received — for the most part.

“Since this is the first time that we’ve had a junior captain before, I know that some people at first were skeptical about it, and I know that there were definitely some seniors that were a little upset about it,” Herpich said. “But I think for the most part I’ve won them over, and I know that a lot of them have really encouraged me and told me that I deserve it.”

Herpich isn’t the only junior team captain this year, though.

Similarly to Herpich, junior Wyatt Haughton is this year’s captain of the boys cross country team – a title typically held by seniors.

“I put him [as team captain] for the reasons that, first, he has great work ethic,” Head Cross Country Coach Tricia Beaham said. “He knows how to have fun, but also knows how to be respectful and dedicated at the same time.”

Haughton leads by example when it comes to hard work. He aims high this year, with a goal to break East’s 5K school record — 16 minutes — and hopes to finish in the top three at the state championship meet this year. 

Another of his goals for the team is to create an environment of mutual enjoyment and amiability. 

“I just want to create a good team atmosphere,” Haughton said. “[One way to do this is] bringing back team dinner for sure. Carbo loads are a lot of fun, and they’re a good way to get the team together, get everyone excited for the meet the next day, and you get to eat food together. So it’s good experience.”

Being truly dedicated to their sports and possessing the qualities of good leadership, these two juniors earned their positions despite their grade.