Winning meets and breaking records are two feats that have become routine for the BG women’s track team throughout the 2004 indoor and outdoor seasons. Some might attribute the squad’s success to diligent coaching or the talented roster, but the team’s senior leadership is definitely one undeniable force behind the impressive performances.
Senior captains Amber Culp, Kerri McClung and Alicia Taylor know how to win, but more importantly, they know how to lead.
One of the captains’ primary responsibilities is helping underclassmen adjust to competing at the collegiate level. Being freshmen themselves just a few years ago allows the captains to advise their younger teammates based on their own experiences. “Being on a Division I athletic team is not easy,” McClung said.
“We’re there for support. We’ve walked the path and we understand that there’s an end to it.”
Along with supporting their teammates, leading by example is one of the Falcon captains’ specialties. McClung is a Mid-American Conference champion thrower, Taylor owns a MAC championship title in the hurdles and Culp is a standout performer in both the steeplechase and distance races. All three athletes provide examples of hard work and excellent performance in their respective events.
“It’s all about being a leader, not only on the track, but with your grades as well. You don’t have to be the best athlete, but it’s important to put in a great amount of work ethic,” Taylor said.
“It takes attitude and commitment,” Culp said. “You really have to want it. Sometimes you may start out at the back of the pack, but you have to be committed to do what it takes – getting enough sleep, eating well, making sure your priorities are straight.”
Being a captain surrounded by talented athletes from many different backgrounds can be challenging. It’s not always easy to get a diverse group of people on the same page, but the captains explained how they are constantly striving toward unity.
“Anytime you bring together different people, it’s hard. As captains, we’re trying to figure out ways to be a better unit,” Culp said.
“Our main objective is to be the best team we can be at the MAC [meet] on May 14. We don’t want issues within the team to stand in the way. We’re slowly becoming more united,” McClung said.
In the end, leadership alone cannot win championships, but the captains have set admirable examples of how hard work does pay off. Culp, McClung and Taylor all admitted that running at a division I school as a freshman can be daunting and discouraging at first, but they want their younger teammates to understand that putting in extra effort outside of practice is worth it eventually.
“Hard work really does pay off,” Taylor said. “When I first started my first two years, it was so hard, but one day you start to see the progress coming. You start to enjoy your sport. I can say that now. I actually enjoy track and field.”
Culp and McClung share Taylor’s views on hard work. McClung admitted to practicing throwing drills outside of practice wherever she could find a suitable surface. Culp can be found putting in extra miles in the morning before class.
While the captains are dedicated to displaying a strong work ethic above and beyond practice, all the extra throws, hurdles and laps aren’t what this trio will miss most about their years at BG. Time spent with teammates has been one of the most positive experiences for all the Falcon leaders.
“We have our own sorority and the initiation is just being on the team. We go in and come out of everything together,” Taylor said.
“It’s the time you spend with teammates, hanging out and acting silly on road trips. You don’t get to do the whole track thing ever again. That’s what makes this experience different from high school,” McClung said.
With only a handful of meets left before graduation, the senior captains are still competing with hopes of breaking records and claiming more titles. When they do move on, they will leave the Falcons their standards of excellence in athletics as well as leadership.
For Culp, McClung, and Taylor, it is obvious there are no limits to what they will accomplish in the future.
