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Aleäa Reyes

Captain of the track team, Allen Baugh, ’18, crouches on the floor after his cool down routine on a stationary bike in the Wise Center on Nov. 30, 2015. He focuses on regulating his breathing, allowing him to slow down his heart rate.

With only one collegiate season of track and field behind him, Allen Baugh, ’18, was selected as the 2015-16 track and field captain.

“Being captain of the track and field team is a lot more of a challenge than I expected it to be,” said Allen Baugh, ‘18.

The team is made up of sprinters, long distance runners, throwers, hurdlers and jumpers. Although Baugh’s focus lies in sprinting, he is responsible for rallying morale and maintaining camaraderie amongst the team members.

“Being a captain of a college track and field team requires that you make sure the team works as a unit on and off the track. It is making sure people stay motivated through practices and keep positive attitudes to all situations that may arise through the season, like injuries or personal problems in between individuals,” said Baugh.

This is not Baugh’s first experience in leading a team.

“I had been basketball and track and field captain of my high school teams my junior and senior year,” said Baugh.

He is also a residential advisor for Walker Annex Hall. Being an RA requires the same skills as being a team captain, where he is responsible for the upkeep of a community, except in a shared living space, as opposed to a sports environment.

Baugh and members of the team were working towards their first meet of the winter which was on Dec. 5, 2015. They worked through workouts, practice sessions and lifting sessions five days a week, either at the Robertson Complex or the Wise Center dependent on the weather. These sessions typically run for one to two hours a day. After the team exercises, members meet for meals usually hosted in the Brooks Dining Hall, showing up with limbs wrapped with saran wrap and ice bags to improve the flow of lactic acid and reduce the inflammation of their muscles after running. Apart from training, team members also engage in evening events or “tractivities” — which were team bonding  events on the weekend. After the-long distance runners triumphed in the 2015 NCAC championships, the team came together to celebrate as winners.

“I have been very proud of my team and all of the work we have put in to get to our first meet. I have big hopes for this team and I expect there to be many all-conference awards given to both the sprinters and throwers by the end of the season,” said Baugh.